It is this difficulty of identification which has led to so much confusion in the application of the specific names, for the earlier botanists rarely had an opportunity of a close and careful examination of the trees or other plants which they attempted to describe. In relation to the species under consideration, we find that the specific name of _sulcata_, so long in use, was adopted by Nuttall, from some earlier or contemporaneous author,--a system he followed with all the different species of the hickory, but without, in some instances, any discrimination or regard to their adaptation or validity. If there was anything to show that Willdenow (1796) had this Western shellbark in mind, or that he or his correspondents in this country had ever seen or collected it, then we might adopt the name of _sulcata_ as the original and true one; but in the absence of such information, with a full and accurate description of the species and its habitats by Michaux, under the name of _laciniosa_, I think, in common justice to one of the most eminent dendrologists who ever visited this country, the name given should stand as the true one for this species. See Michaux, "North American Sylva," Vol. I, p. 128. Synonyms: _Juglans sulcata (?)_, Willdenow, 1796. _Juglans laciniosa_, Michaux, 1810. _Carya sulcata_, Nuttall, 1818. _Carya cordiformis_, Koch, Dendrologie. The three preceding species are probably the only ones worthy of propagation for their fruit, or that have and are likely to yield varieties of any considerable economic value; but as it is important that the nut culturist should know the materials he is using, and whether they be of the best or otherwise, I shall admit all the species, without regard to their merits or value for cultivation.