HORSE-CHESTNUT TREE. 



^SCULUS. 



HIVPOCASTINE^E. HEPTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 



Msculus, from esca, food. It was formerly named Castanea 

 equina, from the similitude of the fruit to that of the common 

 chestnut, and from its being eaten by horses. Hippocastanum has 

 the same signification : this was formerly the generic name : now 

 it is only the specific name for the common Horse-Chestnut. 

 French, the common kind, marronier ; the others, pavia : Italian, 

 the common kind, castagno d* India ; the other sorts, ippocastano. 



THE common Horse-Chestnut (JEsculus hippocasta- 

 nuin) is generally considered as one of the most orna- 

 mental trees in our plantations. The branches of this 

 tree, when it stands singly, are disposed in a beautiful 

 form ; the large palmated leaves, which are composed of 

 seven leaflets, gradually decreasing in size from the mid- 

 dle one to the outer ones; and their elegant drooping 

 position, contrasted by the large upright pyramidal 

 thyrsus of flowers, variegated towards the centre with 

 yellow or red, are truly magnificent. 



" For in its honour prodigal nature weaves 

 A princely vestment, and profusely showers 

 O'er its green masses of broad palmy leaves, 

 Ten thousand waxen pyramidal flowers ; 

 And gay and gracefully its head it heaves 

 Into the air, and monarch-like it towers." 



Ho WITT'S Forest Minstrel. 



