170 



NATURE STUDY 



about seven pairs of opposite scales, all of which appear 

 to be thick, brown, and shiny. When the bud opens, 

 however, it will be found that this is true only of the 

 exposed tips of the inner scales. The part covered up is 

 green and soft. Moreover, when they 

 laxj together, they are rather Avoolly. 

 Inside the scales are one, two, or even 

 three pairs of very woolly, tightly 



Horse-chestnut 

 branch. 



Cause of the Horse- 

 shoes. 



Horse-chestnut buds. 



folded, opposite leaves. In the centre may often be 

 found a compact, woolly flower cluster. 



The leaves look at first like rather clumsy small spoons, 

 then like a hand with from five to seven fingers. At last, 

 when the wool begins to drop off, they show that they 

 are palmately compound leaves. 



The horseshoe-like scars below the bud are the marks 

 left by last year's falling leaves. Observe that they are 

 opposite. The nails indicate the number of leaflets. This 



