AESCULUS.

Aesculus californica (syn Pavia californica).—­California.  This is one of the handsomest species, of low, spreading habit, and blooming freely about midsummer.

Ae.  GLABRA (syn Ae. rubicunda).—­Red-flowered Horse Chestnut.  North America, 1820.  If only for its neat and moderate growth, and attractive spikes of brightly-coloured flowers, this species must be considered as one of the handsomest and most valuable of small growing trees.  Being of moderate size, for we rarely meet with specimens of greater height than 30 feet, and of very compact habit, it is rendered peculiarly suitable for planting in confined spots, and where larger growing and more straggling subjects would be out of place.  It withstands soot and smoke well, and is therefore much valued for suburban planting.  The long spikes of pretty red flowers are usually produced in great abundance, and as they stand well above the foliage, and are of firm lasting substance, they have a most pleasing and attractive appearance.  As there are numerous forms of the red-flowered Horse Chestnut, differing much in the depth of flower colouring, it may be well to warn planters, for some of these have but a faint tinge of pink overlying a dirty yellowish-green groundwork, while the finest and most desirable tree has the flowers of a decided pinky-red.  There is a double-flowered variety Ae. glabra flore-pleno (syn Ae. rubicunda flore-pleno) and one of particular merit named Ae. rubicunda Briotii.

Ae.  Hippocastanum.—­The Common Horse Chestnut.  Asia, 1629.  A fine hardy free-flowering tree, supposed to have been introduced from Asia, and of which there are several varieties, including a double-flowered, a variegated, and several lobed and cut-leaved forms.  The tree needs no description, the spikes of pinky-white flowers, which are produced in great abundance, and ample foliage rendering it one of, if not the handsomest tree of our acquaintance.  It gives a pleasing shade, and forms an imposing and picturesque object in the landscape, especially where the conditions of soil—­a rich free loam—­are provided.  Ae.  Hippocastanum alba flore-pleno (the double white Horse Chestnut), has a decidedly pyramidal habit of growth, and the flowers, which are larger than those of the species, are perfectly double.  It is a very distinct and desirable large growing tree.  Ae.  Hippocastanum laciniata and Ae.  Hippocastanum digitalis are valuable for their divided leaves; while Ae.  Hippocastanum foliis variegatis has the foliage rather irregularly variegated.