28 



YOSEMITE NATURE NOTES 



ture they are bright green and 

 smooth except for minute hairs in the 

 angle of the veins on the pale under 

 surface. The edges of the leaflets are 

 characterized by numerous teeth. 



In the spring this tree is conspicu- 

 ous because of its showy flowers. 

 These vary in color from white to 

 a delicate pink and are produced in 

 large, erect clusters up to six inches 

 long. It is also conspicuous in the fal' 

 after the foliage has been shed. At 

 that time the large, green, pear-shap- 

 ed fruit, two to three inches long, can 

 be seen hanging from the tips of the 

 branches. Closer examination will 

 reveci that the fruit consists of a 

 large, glossy brown seed, sometimes 



nearly two inches across, enclosed 

 in a thin husk of leathery texture 

 which splits open upon maturity. 

 Only rarely is more than one buck- 

 eye enclosed within one husk. 



Although considerable effort was 

 required in the preparation of the 

 buckeye as a food due to its bitter 

 taste, it was so used on occasion by 

 the Indians which inhabited the lo- 

 wer foothills. This was particularly 

 the case at times when the acorn crop 

 failed. In addition the soft, light, close 

 grained wood was utilized, after care- 

 ful seasoning, by the Indians in the 

 preparation of equipment for mcV:ing 

 fire by friction. 



Ph^h, hy ,\,,J,r,n„ 



North Donir anj the MerccJ Rncr in Winter 



