86 ELEMENTARY WOODWORKING 



This class of leaf is very common, as our horse-chest- 

 nuts, buckeyes, hickories, and walnuts all have com- 

 pound leaves. 



The horse-chestnut is not a native American tree, but 

 was imported from Europe, where it is a great favorite. 

 The leaflets number five or seven, always an odd num- 



FIG. 98. The Horse-Chestnut 



ber, and they radiate from one central point, the odd 

 one in the center usually being the largest. 



It is very interesting to watch these leaves as they 

 come out of the sticky buds in the spring. They unfold 

 and grow very rapidly and soon the tree brings forth 

 large pyramidal clusters of beautiful flowers. 



