THE CHESTNUT. 181 



are often mere empty rinds, but all, whether solid or 

 otherwise, bear the remains of the flower, in the shape of 

 a few dry bristles, on their points. 



Chestnuts are spoken of very contemptuously by Pliny, 

 who says : " The fruit of the Castanea we call also a nut, 

 though it approaches nearer in character to mast. It is 

 protected by a case beset with strong prickles. It is 

 strange that we hold as of no value a fruit which [Nature 

 has so carefully guarded from injury. As many as three 

 nuts frequently grow together in one case. The proper 

 rind of the nut is tough, and within this is a thin skin 

 closely attached to the substance of the nut, as in the 

 walnut, which, unless it be removed, spoils the flavour of 

 the fruit. The best way of preparing them for food is by 

 roasting. They are sometimes ground into meal, which is 

 converted by women into a wretched substitute for bread, 

 and eaten during their religious fasts." 



Notwithstanding the low repute in which the Eoman 

 naturalist appears to have held chestnuts, they are men- 

 tioned among rustic dainties by more than one Latin poet. 

 Thus Virgil says : 



' ' Sunt nobis mitia pom a, 



Castanese moUes, et pressi copia lactis. ' ' 

 " Ripe apples and soft chestnuts we have there, 

 And curd abundant to supply our fare." 



Our own poets make frequent mention of roasted chest- 

 nuts. Thus Ben Jonson speaks of the " chestnut whilk 

 hath larded (fattened) many a swine ; " and Shakspeare, of 

 "the sailor's wife Avith chestnuts in her lap : " and IMilton, 

 writing on the death of his friend Deodati, says : 



' ' In whom shall I confide ? Whose counsel find 

 A balmy medicine for my troubled mind ? 

 Or whose discoiirse with innocent delight 

 Shall fill me now, and cheat the wintry night- 

 While hisses on my hearth the purple pear, 

 And blackening chestnuts start and crackle there ; 

 While storms abroad the dreary meadows whelm. 

 And the wind thunders throng the neighbouring elm ? " 



