Wisconsin Tribune

The Brazil-Nut Tree—The following, relative to a species of nut very common and much liked among us—will be new to many: The Brazil nut tree thrives well in the province, and immense quantities of this delicious fruit are annually exported to foreign countries. It grows to the height of from fifty to eighty feet, and in appearance is one of the most majestic ornaments of the forest. The fruit in its natural condition resembles a cocoa-nut, being extremely hard, and of the size of a child's head. Each one of these shells contains from twelve to twenty of the three-cornered nuts, nicely packed together. During the season of their falling, it is dangerous to enter the groves where they abound, as the force of their descent is sufficient to capsize the strongest man.—The natives, however, provide themselves with wooden shields, which they hold over their heads while collecting the fruit from the ground. In this manner they are perfectly secure from injury.