190 THE HORSE CHESTNUT. 



the stamens, and perceive that some were opaque and some 

 transparent. It would be more advisable for the young 

 student to gather one of these buds in the early spring, 

 when the sun is just beginning to melt away the gum 

 with which the scales are sealed together. 



As the sun begins to gain power, the gummy covering 

 of the bud melts and yields to the expanding pressure from 

 within, when the scales are thrown off, and the delicate 



LEAF AND FLOWER-BUDS OF HORSE CHESTNUT. 



green leaves are rapidly unfolded, encircling a conical mass 

 of embryo flowers. In this stage the leaves present a 

 singular appearance, drooping with their points towards the 

 ground, as if not strong enough to assume a horizontal 

 position. The buds, it has been already stated, expand 

 very early in spring, but by no means prematurely, for 

 within three or four weeks of their first unfolding they 

 have attained their full length, amounting sometimes to 

 eighteen inches. The leaves and flower-buds continue to 



