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DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



earliest period of history, and the name occurs in two places 

 in the Bible.* Doubts are however entertained by com- 

 mentators as to whether the tree there spoken of is the same 

 as the one now known as Chestnut, some supposing the 

 Plane tree (^Platanus orientalis) is meant. It is said to have 

 been first brought to Europe by the Greeks, from Sardis in 

 Asia Minor, at least five hundred years before the Christian 

 Era, and Theophrastus writing two hundred years after, 

 speaks of Mount Olympus being covered with Chestnut trees. 

 From thence it was introduced to Italy, and afterwards 

 gradually spread throughout Southern and Middle Europe, 

 and is believed to have been introduced to this country by 

 the Romans, and was long thought to be a native, on account 

 of the roof of Westminster Hall and other ancient buildings 

 being supposed to be chestnut wood. But it has been proved 

 that the timber used is not chestnut, but an inferior sort of 

 oak, called Denmark Oak (Quercus sessilijlora of botanists). 



The nut of the Sweet Chestnut is too well known to need 

 description. It Italy and Spain it forms the principal food 

 of the poorer classes, who grind it into meal. 



In this country the nuts ripen tolerably well in fine 

 seasons, yet the quality and quantity is small compared to 

 the importations which come chiefly from Holland and 

 Belgium. 



Hazel and Filbert Nuts {Corylus avellana). A small 

 bush, throwing up straight rod-like stems, growing wild in 

 woods throughout this country, as also in the temperate parts 

 of Europe, as well as in Western and Northern Asia. The 

 specific name avellana is derived from the name of a place 

 in Italy, where large quantities are grown for exportation. 

 The great supply of the finest nuts comes from Spain, and 

 are called Barcelona nuts. 



In this country nuts are extensively cultivated, especially 

 about Maidstone, in Kent. 



Cob and filbert nuts are only varieties, the latter having a 



* Genesis, chap. xxx. ver. 37 ; Ezekiel, chap. xxxi. ver. 8. 



