( 6i ) 



am told, that in North America, where it 

 grows wild, it is in much efteem. When the 

 cabinet-maker meets with a knotted tree of 

 this kind, which is there called the curled 

 maple, he prizes it highly. 



In the few inftances I have met with of this 

 tree in a ftate of maturity, it's form has ap- 

 peared picturefque. It is not unlike the oak ; 

 but is more bufhy ; and it's branches are clofer, 

 and more compact. One of the largeft maples 

 I have feen, {lands in the church- yard of Bol- 

 dre, in new-forefl : but I have not met with 

 fpecimens enough of this tree to form an opinion 

 of it's general character. 



The great maple, commonly called the 

 fycamore, is a grander, and nobler tree, than 

 the fmaller maple ; but it wants it's elegance : 

 it is coarfe in proportion to it's bulk. It forms 

 however an impenetrable fhade ; and often re- 

 ceives well-contrafted mafles of light. It's 

 bark has not the furrowed roughnefs of the 

 oak ; but it has a fpecies of roughnefs very 

 picture fque. In itfelf, it is fmooth : but it 

 peels off in large flakes, like the planes, (to 

 which in other refpects, it bears a near alliance ) 



leaving 



