416 ARBORETUM AND FRUTICETUM. PART Ill. 
only (4); or else, when four were present, they were all proportionally smaller 
than in those plants which bore two (fig. 111. c). This shows that the 
multiplication of the cotyledons, in some plants, may be the result merely of a 
subdivision in the two 
which belong to them in 
their normal condition, 
and that it may not have 
originated in any super- 
numerary developement 
of these organs them- 
selves. Their compar- 
ative inequality, how- 
ever, soon ceases as the 
plant developes itself. 
In one instance, I have 
remarked a_ cohesion 
taking place between the two cotyledons nearly throughout their whole length 
(fig. 110. d); and then the young plant had strangely assumed the form 
of amonocotyledon. Sometimes the superfluous division was continued to 
the primordial leaves, of which there were one large, and two that were smaller 
(fig. 111. e): but I have never observed the anomaly extend beyond them ; 
the next in succession, and all after them, being developed in pairs, in the usual 
way. The above figures are selected from among several varieties which I 
possess of this anomalous germination of the sycamore.” (Mag. Nat. Hist., 
vol. v. p. 346, 347.) The growth of the sycamore is very rapid compared 
with that of other trees, particularly when it is in a deep, free, rich soil, and in 
a mild climate. It arrives at its full growth in 50 or 60 years; but it 
requires to be 80 or 100 years old before its wood arrives at perfection. In 
marshy soil, or in dry sand, and even on chalk, the tree never attains any 
size. It produces fertile seeds at the age of 20 years, but flowers several years 
sooner; sometimes even perfecting its seeds sooner also. The longevity of 
the tree is from 140 to 200 years, though it has been known of a much 
greater age. M. Hartig has felled sycamore trees 200 years old, and upwards 
of 100 ft. in height, the timber of which was perfectly sound. ; 
Geography. Found in various parts of Europe, particularly in Switzerland, 
Germany, Austria, and Italy,in wooded mountainous situations. In England, 
it is found in hedges and about houses, but not truly wild, according to Smith ; 
though others consider it indigenous. Gerard, in 1597, says it is a stranger in 
England, only found growing in the walks and places of pleasure of noblemen, 
where it is planted for the sake of its shadow. Parkinson observes, “ It is 
cherished in our land only in orchards or elsewhere, for shade and walks.” 
Ray speaks of it as very common in courtyards, churchyards, avenues, and 
about noblemen’s houses; but says it began, in his time, not to be much in 
request, because of the great litter occasioned in gardens and walks by the 
falling leaves. Martyn, in his edition of Miller’s Dictionary, says that, ifit were 
truly indigenous, the country would have been full of it; since the tree comes 
up with such wonderful facility from the seed. For the same reason, Dr. 
Walker supposes it to have been one of the very earliest of foreign trees intro- 
duced into Scotland. Sir T. D. Lauder says, “ It is a favourite Scotch tree, 
having been much planted about old aristocratic residences in Scotland; and, 
if the doubt of its being a native of Britain be true, which, however, we can- 
not believe, then it is probable that the long intimacy which subsisted between 
France and Scotland may be the cause of its being so prevalent in the latter 
country.” (Lauder’s Gilpin, i.p. 121.) In Switzerland, the tree is found 
from 2000 ft. to 3000 ft. above the level of the sea, reaching up the mountairs 
to the point where Vaccinium Vitis idz‘a commences; provided, however, that 
the soil be dry and of a good quality. In such situations it suffers much less 
from frost and snow than many other trees. ; 
History. The first record of the tree, as in cultivation in Britain, is in 
