THE HORSE CHESTNUT. 



^SCULUS HIPPOCASTANUM. 



Natural Order — Hippocastane^. 

 Class — Heptandria. Order — Monogynia. 



The features presented by this tree are so de- 

 cidedly different from those of the ordinary tenants 

 of our woods and forests, that a mere glance is suf- 

 ficient to assure us that where the Oak, the Ash, 

 and the Elm are types of native trees, the Horse 

 Chestnut must be an alien, gladly admitted though 

 it be to a participation in all the privileges which 

 we accord to our undoubted and most highly-prized 

 native trees. Whether adding with its massive foli- 

 age to the deep shadow of a wood, decorating the 

 slopes of a park, or uniting its broad leaves to form 

 the canopy of a stately avenue, it is everywhere in 

 place, and everywhere worthy of admiration. 



In early spring, before 



" The palms put forth their gems, and every tree 

 Now swaggers in her leafy gallantry," 



the Horse Chestnut has given full and timely no- 

 tice of the change which is in preparation. Every 

 one of its stout twigs is terminated by a turgid 

 bud hastening to anticipate its fellows in throwing 

 off the wintry covering, like a lusty infant strug- 

 gling to be released from the arms of its nurse. 

 After the lapse of a week, the ground is strewed 

 with the party-coloured scales which well did their 



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