DENDROLOGY. 107 



palmated or divided into 3 or 4 acuminate lobes, irregularly 

 toothed. The extremities of this tree, which are formed by 

 numerous twigs united at the base, have a remarkable appearance 

 when garnished with flowers and seeds of a deep red, before 

 vegetation has begun generally to revive. The fruit is suspended 

 by long flexible peduncles, and is of the same hue with the 

 flowers, though it varies in size and in the intensity of its coloring, 

 according to the exposure and dampness of the soil. It ripens 

 on the last of April or first 01 - ay. Before this tree exceeds 25 

 or 30 feet m height and 7 or 8 inches in diameter, its bark is 

 perfectly smooth and marked with white blotches, by which it is 

 easily distinguishable. Afterwards the trunk becomes brown and 

 chapped. In this tree, as in others which grow in wet places, 

 the sap bears a large proportion to the heart, if indeed the name 

 heart can properly be given to the irregular star which occupies 

 the centre of large trunks, with points, from one to three inches 

 in length, projecting into the sap. 



The wood of the red-flowering maple is applicable to interesting 

 uses. It is harder than that of the white maple, and of a finer 

 and closer grain : hence it is easily wrought in "the lathe, and 

 acquires by polishing a glossy and silken surface. It is sufficiently 

 solid, and for many purposes it is preferred by workmen to other 

 kinds of wood. It is much used for yokes and the handles of 

 agricultural implements, wooden dishes and other domestic 

 wares. It sometimes happens that in very old trees, the grain 

 instead of following a perpendicular direction, is undulated, and 

 this variety is termed Curled Maple. This singular arrangement 

 is never witnessed in young trees, nor in the branches of such as 

 exhibit it in the trunk : it is less conspicuous at the centre, than 

 near the circumference. Trees offering this disposition, however, 

 are rare. The serpentine direction of the fibre, which renders 

 them difficult to split and to work, produces in the hands of a 

 skilful mechanic, the most beautiful effects of light and shade. 

 These effects are rendered more striking, if, after smoothing the 

 surface of the wood with a double-ironed plane, it is rubbed with 

 a little sulphuric acid, and afterwards with linseed oil. On close 

 examination, the varying shades are found to be owing entirely 



