478 



BOTANY. 



Although capable of many uses in the arts, it has been, to a great ex- 

 tent, neglected. The trunks of the young trees are much used for 

 levers in saw-mills and log-yards, hence one of its popular names, 

 Lever-wood. 



Sub-Order Quercinece. Mostly large trees. 



Costarica vesca, the so-called Spanish Chestnut, is a native of Asia 



FIGS. 370-74. ILLUSTRATIONS OF QUKRCUS ROBUB. 



FIG. 370. Fia. 374. 



Fig 370. -Male and female branches, with a ripe fruit at the side. 

 Fig. 371. Male flower. Magnified. 

 Fig. 372. Female flower. Magnified. 

 Fig. 373. Female flower, in vertical section. Magnified. 

 Fig. 374. -Vertical section of fruit. 



Minor and the region eastward to the Himalayas It is found in Cen- 

 tral and Southeastern Europe, but it was probably introduced from the 

 East 2000 or more years ago. It furnishes a valuable coarse-grained 

 timber, and its fruits are the "Spanish Chestnuts "of the marketH. 



