HORSE CHESTNUT. 
141 
their neighbours has necessitated the portion nearest the leaf- 
stalk taking a wedge shape. The large size of these leaves 
— as much as eighteen inches across — leads the non-botanical 
to regard the leaflets as being full leaves. On emerging from 
the bud the leaves are seen to be covered with down, but as 
they expand this is thrown off. 
The flowers consist of a bell-shaped calyx with five lobes, 
supporting five separate petals, pure white in colour, but 
splashed and dotted with crimson and yellow towards the 
base of the upper ones, to indicate the way to the honey- 
glands. There are seven curved stamens, and in their midst 
