250 CHESTNUT 



folds. The $ flowers green, with reddish stigmas, singly or 

 in threes, each group invested by a large hairy and prickly 

 ciipule, and bracts, the group up to 9 10 cm. diameter. 

 Ovary inferior, with about 6 cells, each containing 2 

 ovules, and surmounted by a 6-lobed perianth and 

 6 stigmas. 



Fig. 83. Chestnut, Castanea vesca. 1, flowering shoot ; 2, vertical 

 section tlirough cluster of female flowers in their involucre ; S, transverse 

 section of ovary; 4, a male flower; 5, fruits in their involucre, p. 248 

 (Wo). 



As the fruit ripens, all the cells and ovules but one 

 abort, the result being the round-angled brown chestnut 



