110 DICTIONARY OF POPULAR NAMES CHESTNUT 



starch. An oil is also expressed from tlie nut which has been 

 recommended in rheumatism. The nuts are somewhat sapo- 

 naceous, and after being macerated in water are reported to 

 have been used in some parts of Ireland to whiten linen. In 

 Turkey they are ground with other food and given to horses, 

 hence the name. 



Chestnut, Moreton Bay {Castanospermum australe), a large 

 tree of the Bean family (Leguminosse), having shining winged 

 leaves ; a native of Queensland, where it is said to attain a 

 height of 70 to 100 feet. It takes its name from the seeds, 

 which are similar to and of the size of Sweet Chestnuts. They 

 are contained in a cylindrical, stiff pod, 6 or 7 inches in length. 

 They are eaten by the natives, but are unpalatable to Europeans. 



Chestnut, Sweet (Castanea vulgaris), a large, spreading 

 branched tree of the family Cupuliferse. It is supposed to be a 

 native of Northern India throughout the range of the Himalayas. 

 If so it must have early migrated westward, as it is common 

 throughout the whole of Western Asia, the countries of the 

 Mediterranean and Central Europe ; even in the Alps it has the 

 appearance of being an original native. It has been supposed 

 also by some to be a native of Britain; but that is not likely, as 

 its fruit only ripens in favourable seasons, and there is no trust- 

 worthy account of any natural forests having at any time 

 existed ; on the contrary, some suppose it to have been introduced 

 by the Eomans. It is now common in parks and gardens, and 

 some trees are recorded as being very old and having attained a 

 large size. In some places it is grown as a brushwood for hoop- 

 making. As already stated, the nuts ripen to perfection in 

 favourable seasons, but the quality and quantity is small com- 

 pared to the importations from the Continent, chiefly from 

 France, Portugal, and Spain. In Italy and Spain the nuts are 

 ground into meal, and it forms an important article of food for 

 the poorer classes. In saying it is a native of the whole of 

 Western Asia, Palestine and Western Syria generally must be 

 excluded ; for although the chestnut tree is mentioned in the 

 Bible in the time of Jacob, nevertheless, even in the time of 



