39 



XIV. 

 PLATAN E-E. 



THE PLANE. 

 PLATA NUS. 



Among our broad-leaved deciduous trees we 

 have none which exhibit a more beautiful foliage 

 than the plane, and yet, outside the Thames 

 valley, it is comparativeh- uncommon. Perhaps 

 the most noted exceptions are the fine group at 

 Hawstead, near Bur}- St. Edmunds. However, 

 we have much to be thankful for in the intro- 

 ducl:ion of the plane, even if it were only because 

 of its particular adaption to our smoke-laden 

 metropolis. The name is supposed to be derived 

 from platys, ample, in allusion to the shade 

 afforded by the densit}- and breadth of its foliage, 

 and its wide-spreading branches. 



The tree presents a free and bold outline, 

 without the formality of the horse-chesnut or the 

 lime. The leaves, which var\" srreatlv in size — 

 sometimes measuring from six to eight inches 

 both in length and breadth — are palmated and 

 lobed into five divisions in resemblance to the 

 sycamore, but they are more pointed, ha\e in 

 colour more of the shining green of the tulip, 

 and enjoy also the advantage of seldom being 



