SAP1XDACEAE 47 



Obs. This little tree is certainly distinct, in habit, from the gen- 

 erality of Maples, and seems to be finally separated from them, by 

 modern Botanists; but, if a tree is to be "known by its fruit," this 

 one will always be liable to be taken, or mistaken, for an Acer. 



ORDER XXIX. SAPINDA^CEAE. 



Mostly trees, or shrubs; leaves opposite, or alternate, mostly compound, without 

 stipules ; flowers unsyinmetrical ; ovary 3-celled ; fruit capsular, or baccate ; seeds 

 without albumen. 



TRIBE 1. HIPPOCASTA V NEAE. 



Leaves mostly opposite and digitate; ovules 2 in each cell; cotyledons thick and 

 fleshy, partly soldered together. 



18. AES'CUMJS, L. 



[The ancient name of a tree which bore esculent fruit.] 



Calyx regular, 5-lobed. Petals 4 or 5, unequal. Stamens 6 to 8, 

 usually 7. Styles 3, united. Fruit a subglobose coriaceous capsule, 

 mostly 1-celled by abortion, 2- or 3-valved, with a loculicidal dehis- 

 cence. Seed large, globose, with a smooth reddish-brown coat, and 

 broad paler hilum. 



1. M. HIPPOCASTANUM, L. Leaflets in sevens, obovate-cuneate, 

 acute, dentate ; petals five ; fruit echinate. 

 HORSE-CHESTNUT AESCULUS. Horse-Chestnut. 



Stem 30 to 50 or 60 feet high, with opposite symmetrical rather erect branches; 

 young branches stout, never ramifying the same season each year's growth being 

 a definite development from the large buds, and effected rapidly within a few 

 weeks. Leaflets sessile, 4 to 6 or 8 inches long, penninerved ; common petiole 4 to 8 

 inches long. Flowers white, with red spots, in large erect terminal thyrsoid 

 panicles. 

 Hob. Yards, and streets : cultivated. Fl. May. Fr. October. t 



Obs. This ornamental tree (a native of Northern India) is only 

 now beginning to be appreciated, and to be introduced, here. In- 

 deed, it is marvellous to reflect, how inconsiderate our people have 

 been, until quite recently, on the subject of providing Shade trees, as 

 a shelter from the fervid glare of our Summer's sun. It is to be 

 hoped that owe posterity may be able to say, with more truth than 

 we can 



" Our fathers knew the value of a screen 



From sultry suns; and in their shaded walks 



And long protracted bowers, enjoyed at noon 



The gloom and coolness of declining day." 



There are several native species, in the Southern and Western 

 States, where they bear the name of Buck-eye, from a resemblance of 

 the seeds to the eye of that animal. These native trees, by reason 

 of their abundance, have become the popular emblem of Ohio 

 which is known throughout the Union by the sobriquet of the "Buck- 

 eye State." 



ORDER XXX. CELASTRACEAE. 



Smatt trees, or shrubs; leaves alternate, or opposite, compound, or simple, with 

 inconspicuous or deciduous stipules: flowers regular, of 4 or 5 parts; sepals and 

 petals imbricated in the bud; stamens as many as the petals and alternate with 



