404 ARBORETUM AND: FRUTICETUM. PARY 111. 
CHAP XxXIe 
OF THE HARDY LIGNEOUS PLANTS BELONGING TO THE ORDER 
ACERA‘CESR. 
DistincTive Characteristics. Flowers either unisexual or bisexual. Calyx 
and corolla equel in the number of their parts, with an imbricated zestivation ; 
the corolla sometimes absent. Petals without appendages. Stamens in- 
serted upon a disk, which arises from below the pistillum, not agreeing in 
number with the divisions of the calyx and corolla. Pistillum 2-lobed, 
each lobe having a wing at its back. Style 1. Stigmas 2. Fruit formed of 
two samarz, or keys, each containing 1 cell and 1 erect seed. Embryo 
curved, with leafy shriveled cotyledons and no albumen. ‘Trees or shrubs, 
almost. all deciduous, with opposite leaves, without stipules. (Pen. Cyc.) 
Calyx 4—9 lobes, mostly 5. Stamens mostly 8. Flowers in axillary corymbs. 
Sap sugary. (Lindl. Introd. to N. S.) Cotyledons, in the germination of the 
seed, produced above ground. The samare in A‘cer Psetido-Platanus are 
very rarely 3. 
Description. The species are chiefly low and middle-sized deciduous trees, 
generally with lobed, but, in one or two cases, with entire or pinnated leaves. 
They are natives of Europe, North America, and the north of India. They are 
all highly ornamental; some of them valuable for their timber; and from A‘cer 
saccharinum, and other species, sugar is extracted. In point of magnitude, the 
species of the Aceracee may be arranged in three classes: those of the 
largest size, having large leaves, and the trunks of a timber size, fit for various 
purposes in architecture, such as the A. Pseudo-Platanus, A. eriocarpum, &c. ; 
those of the second size, with small leaves, the timber of which is chiefly used 
by cabinet-makers, turners, &c., and the trees as copsewood, such as A’cer 
campéstre; and those of the third size, with small leaves, which are solely 
employed for ornamental planting, such as A‘cer monspessulanum, 4. cré- 
ticum, &c. 
Geography and History. “ The maples,” Michaux observes, “ form exten- 
sive forests in the northern parts of North America: these forests appear, 
with those of the beech, to succeed the spruce fir, the larch, and the pine, and 
to precede the chestnut and the oak ; at least, this.is the case between 43° and 
46° of N. lat., the region assigned by nature to the true sugar maple.” 
Seven species of A’cer, and one of Negéndo, are described by Michaux. In 
the Pen. Cyc., under the article A‘cer, understood to be by Dr. Lindley, 
34 species are enumerated or described; and, in Don’s Muller 39 species, 
of which 26 are in cultivation in British gardens. 
Most of the American species are already introduced into Britain; but 
there are some in the mountainous regions of India, and probably in Japan 
and China, which are likely to prove hardy in Britain, which are not yet in- 
troduced, the names of some of which will be found in p. 173. and p. 176., 
and in the concluding section of this chapter. 
Properties and Uses. The wood of the Aceracez is moderately hard, com- 
pact, and more or less veined: it is useful in various departments of architec- 
ture, and is particularly valuable as fuel. Sugar is one of the constituent parts 
of the sap of all the acers and negundos, though that article is chiefly 
obtained from two species, which are natives of America. 
Soil and Situation. The Aceracee prefer a free, deep, loamy soil, rich 
rather than sterile, and neither wet nor very dry. The situation that suits 
them best is one that is sheltered, and shady rather than exposed. They are 
seldom found on the north sides of lofty mountains, or on mountains at all, 
except among other trees; but in the plains they are found by themselves. 
Though the species only attain perfection in favourable soils and situations, 
they will spring up and live in any soil or situation whatever. 
Propagation and Culture. The Aceracee are chiefly propagated from seeds; 
but some sorts are increased by layers, cuttings of the shoots or roots, or by 
budding or grafting. The seeds of most of the species ripen in October, and 
