THE BUCKEYE. 135 
birds seem to enjoy these red flowers, as there are always 
scores and scores of them around the tree while in bloom. 
The bruised branches and bark of this tree are used in 
place of the fish-berry in order to stupefy the fish in 
small ponds; it has such an effect on them that they can 
easily be taken up in the hand. It also takes the place 
of soap in washing woollen cloth. The tree in the 
garden of Mr. Landreth, of Philadelphia, is the largest 
of its species known on this continent, being about 
twenty-five feet high, with a trunk three and three quar- 
ter feet in circumference. It is found more especially 
in the small valleys of Virginia, Arkansas, and Louisiana, 
and is said also to be a native of Japan and Brazil. 
Since its introduction from Brazil into Britain, in 1711, 
it has been extensively cultivated all through Europe as 
an ornamental tree. I am of the opinion that better 
results may be had from this tree by grafting, viz.: A 
plant of the dwarf species was engrafted on the com- 
mon horse-chestnut-tree, and produced a beautiful, pen- 
dulous, low tree ; and it is likely a little care and cultiva- 
tion would unite the beauty of this tree with the size of 
some of its larger brethren of less beauty, and so be a 
gain to both. 
THE EDIBLE BUCKEYE. 
This species in its natural state is of low growth, sel- 
dom exceeding four feet, and is of the evergreen variety ; 
but with proper or careful management in its culture it 
attains the height of a moderately tall shrub or small 
tree. 
In its native soil this tree produces abundant flowers, 
which continue to bloom for three months or longer, at 
a time, too (April and May), when very few trees or 
shrubs are in bloom, forming one of the grandest floral 
ornaments of the shrubbery. Its leaflets, from five to 
seven in number, are of an oval-obovate form, and vel- 
vety-canescent beneath, supported on long, slender peti- 
oles, gracefully disposed. Combined with the feathery 
