1986 



ARBORETUM AND FHUTICKTUM. 



1'AllT 111. 



1923 





its fruit any where except in a climate that will ripen the grape also in the 

 open air. There are several species found in Java, Japan, Cochin-China, China, 

 and the Himalayas ; and one of these is supposed to be identical with C. vesca. 

 (Mirbel.) In Britain, the sweet chestnut is by some considered to be indi- 

 genous ; but, notwithstanding the great age of some specimens, it appears to 

 us more than probable that they have all been planted. This doubt is noticed 

 by Ray and Evelyn, and was warmly taken up by Daines Harrington, about 

 the middle of the last century ; and the discussions which took place between 

 that gentleman, M. Ducarel, and some others, will be found in the Philosophical 

 Transactions, vols. lix. and Ixi.; and in the Gentleman's Magazine^ for 1700. 

 (Seep. 23.) In the English Flora, the chestnut is stated to be " found in 

 woods ; and it appears to be wild in the south and west of England." It has 

 been planted in Scotland, and sometimes ripens a few fruit in the warmest 

 districts of East Lothian. It grows vigorously in Ireland, but never ripens fruit 

 there. In Scandinavia it is unknown. It is apparently wild in some parts of 

 France, and still more so in Spain and Italy ; though it is most probable that 

 it was originally planted in these countries by the Romans. It abounds in 

 the neighbourhood of Nice, and in the kingdom of Naples. It is particularly 



