68 
to--set loose ‘its.treasure. . Then .the club “comes inte 
play. If it strikes the great burrs, and raps out their. 
fat chestnuts, a shout of joy follows. 
What a delight it is to hunt in the long grass for the 
glossy brown beauties just after a sudden shower from 
above! No one speaks. All are bent low in breath- 
less search. 
I know of nothing much more perfect in its way 
than an open chestnut burr, still holding its two or 
three fine nuts. Its green, prickly outer covering makes 
a fine contrast to the velvety brown lining; and within 
this beautiful case the plump, shining nuts are laid with 
the daintiest care. 
Perhaps the chestnut burr is even safer as a seed 
case than the apple. While its seeds (the chestnuts) 
are young and unripe, it does not stop to plead, “ Pray, 
don’t destroy my baby nuts!”’ but it seems to call out 
sternly, ‘‘ Hands off!’’ and promptly punishes the boy 
or girl who disobeys this rough command. 
But when the chestnut seeds are quite ripe, then it 
opens as wide as it knows how; and very tempting it 
looks as it unfolds its contents. A chestnut tree in 
October looks like one great invitation. 
The acorn (Fig. 78), the seed of the oak tree, is 
pretty enough as a plaything, but less pleasing than 
the chestnut. Only the squirrel seems to find it 
fair eating. 
The trees which hide their seeds in nutshells con- 
trive in different ways to send them abroad. 
Many of these nuts are hoarded as winter food by 
the squirrels. Often ina moment of fright these little 
