478 



BOTANY. 



Althougli capable of many uses in tlie arts, it has been, to a great ex- 

 tent, neglected. The trunks of the young trees are much used for 

 levers in saw-mills and log-yards, hence one of its popular names, 

 Lever-wood. 



Sub-Order Quercinece. Mostly large trees. 



Oastanea vesca, the so-called Spanish Chestnut, is a native of Asia 



Figs. 370-74.— Illustkatiohs of Quebcds Eobub. 



Fig. 370. Fis. 374. 



Fig 370. — Male and female branchc*, with a ripe frnit at the side. 



Fig. 371. — Male flower. MiigniHed 



Fig. 37a.— Female flower. Magnifli'd. 



Fig. 373. — ^Female flower, in vertical Bection. Magnified. 



Fig. 374.— Vertical section of fruit. 



Minor and the region eastward to the Himalayas It is found in Cen- 

 tral and Southeastern Europe, but it was probably introduced from the 

 East 3000 or more years ago. It furnishes a valuable coarse-grained 

 timber, and its fruits are the " Spanish Chestnuts " of the markets 



