18 THE WOODS OF NEW BRUNSWICK, 
making curved fronts of sleighs, panels of carriages, ete. For 
similar reasons it is used by stair-builders for curved ends of 
stairs, and for interior finishing. It is readily carved and turned, 
and has sometimes been employed for the figure-heads of vessels. 
Its inner bark, or liber, is tough and fibrous, and is well adapted 
for the manufacture of rough ropes and cordage, It occurs 
sparingly on the fertile lands of the Upper St John river. 
THe Soap-Berry Famiry (Sapindacee). 
The representatives of this family in New Brunswick belong to 
two sub-orders, of which the first (Sapindacee proper) is represented 
by the introduced Horse-chestnut, much prized as an ornamental 
tree ; and the second (Acerinew) by the different species of Maple. 
The latter only require notice here. 
WHITE OR SILVER MAPLE (Acer dasycarpum, Ehr.). 
This is a somewhat smaller tree than the Rock Maple, and less 
generally distributed, being apparently wanting in the northern 
counties, and elsewhere confined to the borders of streams. It is 
not uncommon among the creeks and islands of the St John river, 
and is often of considerable size and beauty. It yields a soft 
white wood, fine grained and easily worked, but with little 
strength or durability. It is rarely used, except in the manufac- 
ture of agricultural implements. 
RED OR SWAMP MAPLE (Acer rubrum, L.). 
This tree is, among the maples, second only to the rock maple 
in size and in the value of its wood. Though not strictly confined 
to swamps, it flourishes best in low wooded swales, and where 
there is abundant moisture ; attaining, sometimes, under these 
circumstances, a height of 60 or 70 feet. It has been observed in 
all parts of the Province, being readily recognised in spring, from 
the reddish or crimson colour of its recent shoots, and in autumn 
from the intense brilliancy of its variegated foliage. 
“The wood of the red maple is whitish, with a tint of rose- 
colour, of a fine and close grain, compact, firm and smooth, the 
silver grain lying in layers very narrow and close, and the pores 
being very small. It is well suited for turning, and takes a fine 
polish ; is easily wrought; and serves for a great variety of pur- 
