592 SWEET CHESTNUT TREE. 



bases of two or three florets. Each floret consists of a calyx sur- 

 rounding an ovary, from the tip of which six pale yellow stigmas 

 project. As the fruit develops, the prickly cupule completely encloses 

 it, though the withered ends of the stigmas are still to be seen 

 projecting from the part furthest from the stalk. When the fruit is 

 ripe the cupule splits into four portions, disclosing its inner lining of 

 silvery silky hairs and three red -brown and glossy nuts, with silky 

 tips, set in a row. The central one has flattened sides, against which 

 the inner sides of the other nuts fit closely. 



The bunches of sulphur-coloured catkins starred over the whole tree 

 make a brilliant display among the rich green leaves, and give it a 

 unique appearance. The flowers are well seen, as from the drooping 

 habit of the branchlets, they are set, for the most part, in front of 

 the leaves. 



THE LEAF. 



The half-grown leaf has already been described. The mature 

 leaf (in August) has an intensely rich dark-green upper-side and a 

 bright green under-side ; both surfaces are unusually glossy. The 

 leaf is widest at a point two-thirds from its base ; its average length is 

 about eight inches. The main and secondary ribs are very distinct. The 

 main -rib is a pale green colour and projects considerably from the 

 under-leaf surface. Where the secondary ribs touch the margin of 

 the leaf there is a sharp point. The blade between these ribs is 

 fluted on the under-side, and consequently convex on the upper-side, 

 while the veins which connect the secondary ribs also pucker it 

 slightly, and its two sides from the central rib are sometimes inclined 

 upwards. The ribs near the base of the leaf do not reach the 

 margin, as do those near the apex, but turn off suddenly in a line 



