THE HORSE CHESTNUT. 



37 



drop off, and the delicate green leaves are rapidly 

 unfolded, encircling a conical mass of embryo 

 flowers. In this stage the leaves present a singular 

 appearance, drooping with their points towards the 

 ground, as if not strong enough to assume a horizon- 

 tal position. The buds, it has been already stated, 

 expand very early in spring, but by no means 

 prematurely, for within three or four weeks of 

 their first unfolding they have attained their full 



LEAP AND FLOWER-BUDS OF HORSE CHESTNUT. 



length, amounting sometimes to eighteen inches. 

 The leaves and flower-buds continue to increase 

 in size until May, w^hen the latter expand; and 



