DECIDUOUS TREES AKD SHRUBS. 39 



and permanently marked with yellow, B, and the Purple- 

 leaved Sycamore Maple (var. jmrpur^ea), with greenish- 

 purple foliage, the under side of wiiich is singularly hand- 

 some. The Velvety Maple (var. velutinum) is a rapid- 

 growing form, with large, dark-green, five-lobed leaves. 



In recent years the Maples, with richly-colored leaves 

 introduced from Japan, have attracted much attention. 

 At first the indications seemed to be against their hardi- 

 ness, but as the trees attain more age, and as the stock is 

 propagated in this country, they appear to be more hardy, 

 and they will undoubtedly prove valuable under careful 

 culture. Thus far, the ^vonderfully rich colors of the 

 leaves have faded in summer, but even this defect prom- 

 ises to be remedied as the trees grow older. The species 

 itself, Acer poly morphum, is very showy and of compara- 

 tively free growth; it is the parent of many varieties, of 

 which the following five are perhaps the best of the many 

 Japanese Maples thus far introduced : — The Blood-red- 

 leaved Japanese Maple (var. sanguineum), with purple 

 or rich red leaves ; the Dark Purple-leaved Japanese 

 Maple (var. atropurpiireiim), of deep-claret tint ; leaves 

 very deeply cut ; Various-colored Japanese Maple (var. 

 versicolor), of free grow^th, as compared with others, and 

 picturesquely spotted with white, pink, and green ; Cut- 

 leaved Purple Japanese Maple (var. dissectiim), beauti- 

 ful rose-colored leaves and branches in the new growth, 

 changing to deep purple later; leaves delicately-cut, giv- 

 ing them a fern-like appearance ; of d\varf, weeping and 

 graceful form ; Netted-leaved Japanese Maple (var. reti- 

 ciilatum), deeply-lobed, greenish-whitish leaves, traversed ' 

 by a netTvork of light, yellowish veins. There is also a 

 variety with whitish leaves. There are two other distinct 

 Japanese Maples worthy of mention : 



The Red Colchicum Maple {A. Colchicum ruhrum), 

 of bright, crimson color in the young leaves and wood; 

 rather tender; and the 



