TREES IN NATURE 77 



he praises its round, strong trunk, large 

 branches, '' thrown out far with a superb 

 gesture," whitish grey bark, of beautiful tint, 

 and rugged texture. It has large, handsome 

 leaves, not dissimilar to those of the ash — part 

 way, it may be said, between those of the 

 ash and those of the sycamore. They are 

 dark green in colour. The superb gesture of 

 the branches, of which Hamerton speaks, is 

 due to their many minor changes of direction, 

 which gives them quite the appearance of 

 flinging themselves out. Hamerton will not 

 have it that the fruit is equal to that of the 

 chestnut. It is only a luxury, a mere dessert 

 nut. The chestnut affords sustenance as well 

 as pleasure. This is a democratic sentiment 

 that ought to be applauded in these days. 

 Walnuts and wine have only aristocratic as- 

 sociations. The tree is chiefly valued for its 

 fruit ; though the wood is much in use for 

 furniture. The leaves have an aroma which 

 some people find pleasant and others un- 

 pleasant. To end with a remark upon its 

 general appearance, few trees are so handsome, 

 and, at the same time, so picturesque. 



The plane-tree is more easily mistaken for 



