FOREST TUBES. 201 



Besides the tree just described, several others of the 

 same species are worthy of a fuller notice, than can be 

 given on the present occasion. 



The Red Flowering Maple makes its first appearance 

 at the north in Canada, latitude 48; becomes more abun- 

 dant in proceeding south, and is common to the extremi- 

 ties of Florida and Louisiana. Of all the trees which 

 grow in wet grounds, and those occasionally overflowed, 

 this flourishes most in the middle and southern States. 

 It lines the borders of creeks, and abounds in swamps 

 frequently inundated, and always miry. In these situa- 

 tions, it is found in company with black and white ash, 

 swamp white oak, shagbark, hickory, and two or three 

 other trees less commonly known. It is remarkable 

 that this species of maple is also found in the vicinity of 

 Pittsburgh on elevated ground. But in swamps it has 

 the most abundant and largest growth, where it rises to 

 the height of seventy or eighty feet. 



The timber of this tree, like that of the sugar maple, 

 is used in various kinds of cabinet work ; and though 

 less hard than that, .it is more so than most other species 

 of this genus, and of a closer, finer grain ; and is hence 

 readily wrought in the lathe, and polishes with a glossy 

 silken surface. It finds an extensive use in the manu- 

 facture of chairs and cabinet work, and was formerly a 

 common material for spinning-wheels. 



The curled rnaple, much sought for by cabinet-makers, 

 is furnished in greater abundance from this species, than 

 that already described. Before the introduction of ma- 

 hogany, it was more extensively used than at present, 

 and is now used for inlaying mahogany, and other mate- 

 rials. For the stocks of fowling-pieces it is much used, 

 for which purpose its lightness, together with its strength 

 and elegance, renders it peculiarly appropriate. It is 

 but poorly fitted for fuel, and is but little used for that 

 purpose. 



The French Canadians use the sap of the red flower- 

 ing maple for sugar, though it produces but half the 

 quantity of that from the species which produces this 

 article of domestic economy in so great abundance. 



The inner part of the bark of this tree, is used as a 

 VOL. i. NO. VIK. 18* 



