30 
Dicotyledons with Polypetalous Flowers. 
Natural Order 
HIPPOCASTANEiE. Tab. 25. 
Diagnosis.— Trees with opposite digitately-compound leaves. Flowers 
unsymmetrical, irregular. Stamens hypogynous, 5-8, inserted within a small 
disk. Ovary free, 3-celled. 
Distribution. —A small exotic Order chiefly confined to the North Temperate zone, with a few 
outliers extending along Tropical mountain ranges. Hippocastanese are usually regarded as a tribe 
of Sapindacese, from which they differ in habit. The Horse Chestnut ( rEsctdus Hippocastanum) y 
commonly planted for shade and ornament in England, is of Asiatic origin. 
FLOWERS frequently unisexual by abortion. 
Stamens usually 7, the calyx and corolla being pentamerous. 
FRUIT a capsule, dehiscing loculicidally in 3 valves. 
Seeds exalbuminous; cotyledons large, fleshy, consolidated. 
USES, &c.—Excepting the Horse Chestnut, which is a favourite ornamental tree, and one or two North 
American Pavias occasionally planted, the Order is of little direct importance. The large farinaceous, but bitter 
seeds of Horse Chestnut are used in some parts of the Continent to feed sheep and goats. The wood is of little 
value. 
