Genus ACER, Linn. 
Aceracese. Polygamia Monoecia. 
Syst. Nat. Syst. Lin. 
Synonymes. 
Acer, Of Authors. 
Erable, France. 
Ahorn, Germany. 
Acero, Italy and Portugal. 
Acer, Arce, Spain. 
Maple, Britain and Anglo- America. 
Derivation. The word Acer signifies in Latin, hard or sharp, and is derived from the Celtic, ac, a point. The name is sup- 
posed to be applied to this genus because the wood of some species is extremely hard, and was much sought after by the 
ancients for the purpose of making pikes and lances. 
Generic Characters. Sexes hermaphrodite, or monoeciously polygamous. Flowers with a calyx and co- 
rolla. Calyx divided into 5 parts, or some number between 4 and 9. Petals the same in number. 
Stamens 8, or some number between 5 and 12. Anthers 2-lobed. Carpels 2, very rarely 3, each a 
samara ; that is, a fruit, which is called, in England, vernacularly, a key. Leaves lobed and toothed. 
or, rarely, neither lobed nor toothed. Flowers generally yellow, with more or less green blended with 
the yellow ; red in Acer rubrum. Loudon, Arboretum. 
\HK species of this genus are chiefly low and middle-sized decid- 
uous trees, highly ornamental, and valuable in some kinds, for 
their timber, and in others, for the sugar they produce. The 
flowers are not individually conspicuous, but interesting in 
those species which put forth at leafing-time, from their number 
and rarity, and from the enlivening effect of the numerous bees, 
and other insects, that generally attend them at that season. The tips of the 
wings of the samarse of several of the European kinds are of a light-red. at 
the end of summer, and in autumn. It is in this genus too, that we early 
observe the sylvan beau, weary of his summer suit, first shifting his dress to 
ochrey shades, then trying a deeper tint, and, lastly assuming an orange or scarlet 
vest. The larger-growing species are often many years before they come into 
flower, and even then, they do not mature their seeds for several seasons, proba- 
bly from being only of one sex. In general, it may be observed, that there is 
great uncertainty, in the different species of acer, with regard to sex. 
Geography and History. The genus acer is confined to Europe, North 
America, northern India, and to southern Russia, in Asia. 
The ancients held the maple in great esteem ; and tables inlaid with curious 
portions of it, or formed entirely of its finely variegated wood, in some instances 
brought their weight in gold. To such a height did the fondness of the Romans 
for curious woods, carry them at one period of their history, that their tables 
were even more expensive than the jewels of their ladies. Maple dishes are 
frequently mentioned by the Latin poets, and Virgil celebrates the maple, as the 
throne of the " good Evander," and its branches as the canopy under which 
he received and seated iEneas : 
"On sods of turf he sat the soldiers round ; 
A maple throne, raised higher from the ground, 
Received' the Trojan chief; and, o'er the bed 
A lion's shaggy hide, for ornament they spread." 
Cowper, and many modern poets, also mention bowls of maple as being used 
by shepherds and hermits. Pliny gives an elaborate account of the properties 
and uses of the maple. He enumerates ten different kinds that were known to 
