THE HORSE-CHESTNUTS OR BUCKEYES. 251 



figured tree, on the average not more than 40 feet 

 high. The leaf * is composed of about seven leaflets 

 (sometimes there are but five), which are abruptly 

 pointed, strongly veined, and toothed on a somewhat 

 scalloped edge. The large, pyramidal clusters of 

 cream-white fiowers, spotted with dull yellow and 

 ruddy purple, bloom in May or June, and impart a 

 very ornamental appearance to the tree. The fruit 

 has a thickish husk with strong prickles and a large 

 chestnut-colored nut, of a peculiar, strong, but aro- 

 matic odor. It is not edible ; some say that it is 

 poisonous. 



The red horse-chestnut {^sguIus rubiGunda) is 

 thought to be a hybrid between the common horse- 

 chestnut and ^sculus pavia, one of the buckeyes. 

 It is a great favorite, and is frequently found in parks 

 and gardens. Its flowers are of a warm, pinkish-red 

 color, and its leaf is composed of from five to seven 

 rather rough leaflets, sometimes dotted here and there 

 with red. The combined pink and green colors of 

 this tree when it is in bloom are most charming and 

 soft. The tone is pitched in a low key, and merits 



the last century ; the first tree is said to be still standing on the 

 estate of Mr. Lemuel Wells, of Yonkers, N. Y." Prof. Sargent, 

 in Silva of North America, says it is indigenous in the mountains 

 of northern Greece. 



* The leaves are rarely or never eaten by the larvas of insects. 



