Book excerpt: Over one hundred of the world's most important species of nuts are systematically accounted in this informative handbook. The text defines nuts and discusses their economic and nutritional value. For easy reference; there is an illustrated account of each nut by species, arranged alphabetically by scientific name. Each account includes the family name, several colloquial names, and paragraphs on uses, folk medicine, chemistry, germplasm, distribution, ecol-ogy, cultivation, harvesting, yields, energy, and biotic factors. Chapters Describe: Uses Folk medicine Chemistry Germplasm Distribution Ecology Cultivation Harvesting Yields and economics Energy Biotic factors