KIDD'S OWN JOURNAL. 



137 



NOTES ON THE EDIBLE CHESNUT. 



It is only recently, my dear sir, 

 that I have found leisure to peruse Kidd's 

 Own Journal. In looking over the pages of 

 the last number, as well as many of those 

 preceding it, I find among the names of the 

 numerous contributors, your old favorites, 

 Bombyx Atlas, and that "jolly dog" 

 Fino ; both of whom seem to be indefatigable 

 in their researches and interesting anecdotes. 

 Now I must aver that I am no " Bombyx," 

 yet if I may be allowed to contribute occa- 

 sionally to Our own Journal a few re- 

 marks on divers subjects of interest, it will 

 afford me considerable pleasure to do so. I 

 have been induced to set about assisting the 

 good work, by noticing the unceasing exer- 

 tions of many of my old acquaintances and 

 friends, whose names stand so prominent in 

 your pages. Thus let me introduce myself 

 to the readers of Our Journal. 



The subject I propose to notice to-day is 

 — the Edible Chesnut ( Castanea vesca). Of 

 all trees which take part in forming the 

 forests and woods of Europe, perhaps none 

 are more strikingly effective than this, for 

 size, stature, and beauty. It is to be met 

 with in all the temperate climates of Europe. 

 The French call it " Le Chataignier ;" the 

 Germans, " Castaniebaum ; " the Dutch, 

 11 Kestenbaum " and " Kastanibaum ; " the 

 Italians, " II Castagno ;" the Spaniards, " El 

 Castano ; " and we call it the " Chesnut 

 tree." 



In England the Chesnut appears more 

 confined to the woods in the south and 

 south-western parts. The beautiful, long, and 

 spear-shaped leaves, hanging in fine clusters 

 from the branches, where they seem to form 

 perfect masses of foliage at a distance, added 

 to their noble stature — render them objects of 

 great importance among the other trees sur- 

 rounding them ; and when covered with the 

 curious prickly involucres enclosing the nuts, 

 the ensemble is most effective. In France 

 and Germany it thrives considerably better. 

 But I have never seen such magnificent speci 

 mens, nor observed them growing to such 

 perfection as they do in Switzerland and 

 Savoy. In these countries, particularly the 

 latter, the " Savoyards" make its fruit (in 

 places) almost their principal article of food. 

 They eat the chesnut, either raw, roasted, or 

 reduced to flour. When it enters into the 

 composition of their bread, sometimes there 

 is added a little Indian corn. 



It is chiefly in the Canton of Tessin, in 

 Switzerland, that the greatest number of 

 chesnut trees abound. The trunk of the 

 celebrated chesnut, at Mount iEtna, called 

 the " Castagna di Cento Cavalli," is stated to 

 be 180 feet in circumference, and quite 

 hollow ; it is said to be able to contain 100 



horsemen, whence its Italian name. The 

 wood of this tree (according to Evelyn) is, 

 next to the oak, one of the most sought for 

 by the carpenter and joiner. 



The finest specimen of this beautiful tree I 

 have as yet seen, stands at about half an hour'? 

 walk up the neighboring mountain from the 

 town of Evian, in Savoy. The steamer was 

 making a " promenade " on the 2nd of 

 August, 1846, to Evian ; leaving passengers 

 there in the morning at about 10 o'clock, and 

 coming to fetch them home at about 5 p.m. 

 for Geneva. I made this " promenade " from 

 Geneva on the day I have just noticed, to the 

 town of Evian. This place is very dirty and 

 dull, as are most of the towns in Savoy. I 

 went with a guide on purpose to see the 

 famous chesnut tree, and passed through a 

 narrow path with a broken wall on either 

 side, covered with the fronds of the common 

 polypody {Polypodium vulgare), which, 

 being then quite matured, had a very pretty 

 appearance. Presently we found ourselves 

 in a forest of nothing but noble chesnut trees ; 

 the foliage was so thick that the beams of 

 the sun could scarcely penetrate it ; and 

 the ground we were walking on was so 

 slippery with Lycopodiums, Sphagnum, and 

 other Musci, that it was troublesome walking. 

 At last we came into a field bordered with 

 these splendid trees, and at one corner stood 

 the specimen I now describe. I measured 

 the circumference of its trunk, and found it 

 to be fifty-four feet. The trunk was perfectly 

 hollow, and yet sound to all outward appear- 

 ance. I entered it, and am sure it would 

 shelter eight persons very comfortably. 

 The height of the tree is considerable, I am 

 told it is upwards of 85 feet ; spreading and 

 well-shaped in proportion to its gigantic size. 

 If any botanists visit Evian, I hope they will 

 pay this tree a visit, and judge for themselves 

 of its beauty, and the adjacent scenery. 



Aglia Tau. 



Stoke Newington, March 2nd. 



[Most proud are we of this addition to our 

 staff; and we gladly hail you, Aglia Tau, 

 as one of our bod}' , -guard. All that proceeds 

 from your pen can hardly fail to please the 

 readers of Our Own. So consider yourself 

 as " enlisted " under our banner.] 



OUR WILD FLOWERS. 



Despise not thou the wild flower. Small it seems, 

 And of neglected growth, and its light bells 

 Hang carelessly on every passing gale ; 

 Yet it is finely wrought, and colors there 

 Might shame the Tyrian purple ; and it bears 

 Marks of a care eternal and divine. 

 Duly the dews descend to give it food ; 

 The sun revives it drooping ; every shower 

 Adds to its beauty ; and the airs of Heaven 

 Are round it for delight. 



