6b^ 



\ 



Chapter III 



THE MAPLES 



Family Aceraceae 



MAPLES have long been famous for 

 beauty of blossom in the early spring, 

 and richness of foliage in the late 

 summer and autumn ; but a study of the twigs 

 and buds after the leaves have fallen, the vary- 

 ing colors of buds and stems, the delicacy 

 of twigs and branches, and grace of outline 

 as trees demonstrates effectively the unusual 

 beauty of the maples in winter. 



The family name Acer comes from the Latin 

 word for sharp, which was originally derived 

 from ac, a Celtic word meaning a point. The 

 name was given to this genus because the wood 

 was much sought after in ancient times for the 

 heads of pikes and lances. 



Among some forty species of maple there are 

 six native species, if the ash-leaved maple is 

 included in this genus. Two species from 

 Europe, the Norway and sycamore maples, are 

 planted commonly throughout New England. 



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