TIMBER TREES. 27 



When he did so he was annoyed during the day by 

 vipers, and at night by the singing of the nightingale. 

 Accordingly he prayed that they might be removed, 

 .and such was the efficacy of his prayers, that since 

 that time, in that forest, 



" The viper has ne'er been known to sting, 

 Or the nightingale e'er heard to sing." 



The SYCAMORE 1 is generally known in Scotland as 

 the plane, but the true plane-tree is not indigenous, 

 having been introduced from the Levant. The syca- 

 more grows to a considerable size, and attains a great 

 age. The leaves are as broad as long, deeply di- 

 vided into five lobes, and seated on long foot-stalks. 

 The seeds are produced in what is termed a samara, 

 two being united at the base, and the wings spreading 

 like a V. 



WINGED SEED-VESSEL OF SYCAMORE. 



A sycamore in the park of Scone Palace, in Perth- 

 shire, is said to have been planted in the time of 

 Mary Queen of Scots. Although three hundred years 

 of age it is still in perfect health. Another at 

 Arniston House, not more than sixty-five feet high, 

 contains three hundred cubic feet of timber, and is 

 said to be at least two hundred years of age. 



1 Acer psetidoplatanus . 



