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. 



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



FIGS. 370-74. ILLUSTRATIONS OF QUEKCUS ROBUK. 



FIG. 370. FIG. 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 markets. 



