THE MAPLES 



value, as the wood is not strong, and the sap 

 yields only a small quantity of sugar. 



The Latin name, negundo, is meaningless 

 and its origin is unknown. 

 Norway Maple A tall tree, with a round head 

 Acer piatanoides an d closely fissured bark. The 

 buds are large, round, and a dull reddish brown 

 color. Coarse twigs and opposite leaf-scars. 

 Distinctive characteristic is the white juice 

 which comes after cutting off a bud. 



It is particularly interesting to open the buds 

 of this tree, and to see how carefully the leaves 

 are protected. After removing the outer scales 

 of the terminal bud with a knife, one discovers 

 a pair of scales covered with soft brown hair 

 as thick as sealskin fur and the same color. 

 Within this warm covering there are still 

 another pair of inner scales with fur a little 

 darker and thicker than that of the first pair, 

 and within these are the little leaves in embryo. 

 In some buds one finds a tiny flower cluster 

 instead, so small it can scarcely be seen, but 

 perfect in every detail, the most protected of 

 flowers. A discovery like this makes one won- 

 der if the dispensation of coverings is errati- 

 cally bestowed, for why should we find a rugged, 

 stalwart tree like the Norway maple with its 



buds luxuriously protected from the cold, while 



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