14^ THE HORSE-CHESTNUT. 



The u ln)lc character of the Horse-chestnut is in keeping with 



such surrcundiniis. It is, as one miLrht sav, the aristocrat amoncr 



trees, and in all respects on a grand scale ; there is la\ish profusion 



and luxuriance about its manner ot growth, and at the same time 



pertect symmetry, and an almost geometrical precision in the arrangement 



of its parts. In spring its huge sticky buds, bursting with vigorous 



life, throw off numbers ot \yell-arranged scales. Each single leat is 



above a foot in length, and composed ot seven radiating leaflets. 



These great leaves group themselves regally round the tall slender 



cones made up ot many flowers ; one looks up at rank above rank 



of massed toliage and countless pyramids ot blossom. The ground 



beneath is presently carpeted white with the fallen petals, and the 



tree bears a new and luxuriant burden ot truit, more than it can 



ever ripen by so much as would lav the foundations of a new forest. 



Yet in spite of this abundance, one might indeed say in order to 



arrive at it, every stage of growth is guarded with protective care. 



The young leaf is shielded from the cold, while in the bud, by an 



inner coating of wool and gum-covered scales which lengthen with it as 



it emerges. So long as it is young and tender its component leaflets 



droop to prevent excessive transpiration. The leaf-stalks are placed on the 



shoot in such a way as to enable each leaflet to obtain the maximum 



of light and air, while the greater length of the lower ones prox'ides 



that tne leaves they bear may not be screened from the sky by the 



upper tiers of foliage. The young flower too has its woolly covering 



and the fruit a thick spiny husk. 



The herds of deer which roam in our parks feed on the nuts, 

 and in early summer cockchafers, with their loud whirring wings, 

 swarm among the Chestnut branches. 



