Genus ACER, Linn. 



Aceracese. Polygamia Monoecia. 



Sysl. Nat. Syst. Lin. 



Synonymes. 



Acer, Of Authors. 



Erable, France. 



Ahorn, Germany. 



Acero, Italy and Portugal. 



Acer, Arce, Spain. 



Maple, Britain and Anglo- America. 



Derivalicn. The word Acer si^ifies in Latin, hard or sharp, and is derived from the Celtic, ac, a point. The name is sup- 

 posed to be applied to this genus because the wood of some species is extremely hard, and was much sought after by tlia 

 ancients for the purpose of making pikes and lances. 



Generic Characters. Sexes hermaphrodite, or monoeciously polygamous. Flowers with a calyx and co- 

 rolla. Calyx divided into 5 parts, or some number between 4 and 9. Petals the same in number. 

 Stamens 8, or some number between 5 and 12. Anthers 2-lobed. Carpels 2, very rarely 3, each a 

 samara ; that is, a fruit, which is called, in England, vernacularly, a key. Leaves lobed and toothed, 

 or, rarely, neither lobed nor toothed. Flowers generally yellow, with more or less green blended with 

 the yellow ; red in Acer rubrum. Loudon, Arboretum. 



^HE species of this genus are chiefly low and middle-sized decid- 

 uous trees, highly ornamental, and valuable in some kinds, for 

 their timber, and in others, for the sugar they produce. The 

 flowers are not individually conspicuous, but interesting in 

 those species which put forth at leafing-time, from their number 

 and rarity, and from the enlivening eflect of the numerous bees, 

 and other insects, that generally attend them at that season. The tips of the 

 wings of the samarse of several of the European kinds are of a light-red, at 

 the end of summer, and in autumn. It is in this genus too, that we early 

 observe the sylvan beau, weary of his summer suit, first shifting his dress to 

 ochrey shades, then trying a deeper tint, and, lastly assuming an orange or scarlet 

 vest. The larger-growing species are often many years before they come into 

 flower, and even then, they do not mature their seeds for several seasons, proba- 

 bly from being only of one sex. In general, it may be observed, that there is 

 great uncertainty, in the different species of acer, with regard to sex. 



Geography and History. The genus acer is confined to Europe, North 

 America, northern India, and to southern Russia, in Asia. 



The ancients held the maple in great esteem ; and tables inlaid with curious 

 portions of it, or formed entirely of its finely variegated wood, in some instances 

 brought their weight in gold. To such a height did the fondness of the Romans 

 for curious woods, carry them at one period of their history, that their tables 

 were even more expensive than the jewels of their ladies. Maple dishes are 

 frequently mentioned by the Latin poets, and Virgil celebrates the maple, as the 

 throne of the " good Evander," and its branches as the canopy under which 

 he received and seated iEneas : 



" On soda of turf he sat the soldiers round ; 

 A maple throne, raised hi?her from the ground, 

 Received the Trojan chief; and, o'er the lied 

 A lion's shaggy hide, for ornament they spread." 



Cowper, and many modern poets, also mention bowls of maple as being used 

 by shepherds and hermits. Pliny gives an elaborate account of the proi)orties 

 and uses of the maple. He enumerates ten ditfcrent kinds that were known to 



