THE SYCAMORE. 51 



has, notwithstanding, continued entire and uncorrupted for 

 at least three thousand years." 



"From its value in furnishing wood for various uses, 

 from the grateful shade which its wide-spreading branches 

 afforded, and on account of the fruit, which, Mallet says, 

 the Egyptians live upon and hold in the highest estimation, 

 we perceive the loss which the ancient inhabitants must 

 have felt ' when their vines were destroyed with hail, and 

 their Sycamore trees with frost.' " 1 



"The Great Maple, or European Sycamore, will grow 

 in ,any soil not saturated with moisture j but it seems to 

 prefer one that is dry and free, rather than one that is stiff 

 and moist. It will grow in exposed situations, and espe- 

 cially on the sea-coast, and maintain its erect position 

 against the sea-breeze, better than most other trees. It is 

 in use for this purpose in Scotland, and also for planting 

 round farm-houses and cottages on the bleak hills. In 

 such situations, an instance can hardly be found of the 

 head of the tree leaning more to one side than another. 

 Even when the wind blows strongly in one direction for 

 nine months in the year, this tree maintains its perpen- 

 dicularity and symmetrical form." 2 



Though a fast grower, the Sycamore does not attain a 

 remarkably large size, and it is as little noted for its longe- 

 vity. It does not materially increase in size after having 

 reached the age of sixty years, but requires from thirty to 

 forty years more to bring its timber to perfection. 



At the age of from one hundred and fifty to two hun- 

 dred years, it usually closes its term of life, though much 

 older trees are on record. 



1 Ps. Ixxviii. 47. 2 Loudon. 



D2 



