CHAP. III. EDIBLE NUTS. 273 



somewhat of the flavour of the Walnut, but of a dense pithy con- 

 sistency like that of a roasted Chestnut. The nut is of a roundish 

 form, of the size of a Walnut, and is contained in a green husk, 

 exactly resembling that of the Walnut. It breaks out into blossom 

 in March with large bunches of small delicate white flowers, and 

 ripens its crop towards the end of July, at which time it comes 

 into full blossom again, but without yielding a second crop. 

 Propagated by sowing the nuts. 



COEYLACE^. 



Corylus avellana. 



FILBEKT. 



Neither the Filbert nor any variety of Hazel-nut is to be met 

 with in this country. Numerous attempts have been made to 

 raise plants by sowing the kernels, but have invariably proved 

 unsuccessful. Even if plants could be raised, in all probability 

 they would never be productive, as has been found to be the 

 case in the Mauritius. 



Gastanea Chinensis. 



CHINESE CHESTNUT. 



This tree, Dr. Voigt states, was introduced from China into the 

 Calcutta Botanical Gardens in 1807, but had not flowered up to 

 1814. In the year 1854 a hundred seedlings were introduced into 

 the Gardens of the Agri-Horticultural Society by Mr. Fortune, 

 who said that the tree produced a nut quite equal, if not superior, 

 to the Spanish Chestnut. The climate of Calcutta seems however 

 little suited to them, as they have made no growth, and still 

 continue in an unthriving state. 



Gastanea vesca. 



SPANISH CHESTNUT. 



This tree, Dr. Voigt states, has been introduced into the 

 Calcutta Botanical Gardens, and existed there for the space of 

 fifteen years without flowering. I find by inquiry that it is not 

 in existence there now. 



