THE HORSE CHESNUT. 3! 



dure among the firft greens that enliven 

 the year ; and its ample palmated leaves 

 have an appearance both uncommon and 

 handfome. Not long after, it puts forth" 

 its long upright fpikes of white and va- 

 riegated flowers, generally in fuch number 

 as to cover the whole tree, and give it 

 the refemblance of one gigantic bouquet. 

 No flowering fhrub is rendered more gay 

 by its bloflbms than this tall tree ; hence 

 it combines beauty with grandeur, in a 

 degree fuperior to any other vegetable of 

 thefe climates. The head is alfo fliapely 

 and regular in its growth, and well adapted 

 to the fymmetry required in walks and 

 avenues. It has the defect of changing 

 and lofing its leaves early in autumn, the 

 natural confequence of its early fpring 

 verdure. It is alfo accufed of not well 

 refitting tempeftuous winds. The wood 

 of the horfe chefnut is of little value ; it 

 is, however, of fome ufe to the turner. 

 Its fruit or nuts are of a farinaceous qua- 

 lity, but fo bitter as to be unfit for human 

 food. Deer are faid to be fond of them, 

 and (beep will eat them ; and when boiled, 



they 



