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hermaphrodite calyx is a one-leafed, five-cleft, 

 acute, coloured, flat and entire at the base, perma- 

 nent perianthium : the corolla has five petals, ovate, 

 broader outward, obtuse, scarcely larger than the 

 calyx, and spreading: the stamina consist of eight 

 or ten subulate short filaments : the antherae arc 

 simple, and the pollen cruciform : the pistillum 

 has a compressed germ, immersed in a convex, 

 perforated, large receptacle : the style is filiform, 

 and daily progressive : the stigmas are two or 

 three, pointed, slender and reflex : the pericar- 

 pium is composed of as many capsules as stig- 

 mas, with one seed in each, coalescent at the 

 base, roundish, compressed, and each terminated 

 by a very large membranous wing : the seeds are 

 solitary and roundish : the male flowers are the 

 same with the hermaphrodites, except that they 

 have neither germ nor style, but only a bifid stig- 

 ma. On the first unfolding of the flower, the 

 stigma only appears, and a few days afterwards 

 the style. The hermaphrodite flowers in the same 

 umbel are often of two kinds : the lower ones fe- 

 minine hermaphrodites, of which the antherae do 

 not burst, but the pistillum grows into a fruit ; the 

 upper ones masculine hermaphrodites, of which 

 the antheras scatter their dust, and the pistils do 

 not grow, but fall off. 



The species are numerous : but those which 

 have been introduced and chiefly cultivated in 

 this country, either for the purposes of timber or 

 ornament in pleasure grounds, are, 1 . A. pseu- 

 doplatanus, Greater Maple or Sycamore ; 2. 

 A. campestre, Common or Smaller Maple ; 

 3. A. Negundo, Ash-leaved Virginia Maple ; 4. 

 A. Monspessulanum, Montpelier Maple ; 5. A. 

 Platanoides, Pl'anetree-like Norway Maple ; 6. 

 A. rubrum, Scarlet-flowering Maple; 7. A. 

 saccharinum, Sugar Maple ; 8. A. Tarlaricum, 

 Tartarian Maple •" 9- A. Opalus, Italian Maple; 

 10. A. Pensylvanicum, Pcnnsylvanian Mountain 

 Maple ; 11. A. Cretkitm, Cretan Maple. 



The first, or Great Maple, has. the leaves di- 

 vided towards the base into three large and two 

 small lobes, the edges being unequally serrated, 

 the racemes pubescent and hanging down, the 

 flowers of a yellowish green colour, and the 

 wings of the capsules erect. It grows to a great 

 height, often with a clear stem or bole, and 

 -spreading top. It comes early into leaf, as about 

 the middle of April ; and these at first have a 

 pleasing green colour, but, from their exsuding 

 a clammy juice, are liable to be soon eaten by 

 insects ; which lessens its value for purposes of 

 ornament. The bunches of flowers are in full 

 bloom about a fortnight after the first appearance 

 of the leaves, but from their bad colour produce 

 little ornamental effect. 



This tree was formerly much employed in 

 planting walks, avenues, ccc. but has lately given 



place to others of the more ornamental kind. It 

 is probable, however, that near the sea-coast it 

 may be planted with advantage, either alone, or 

 for the purpose of sheltering other trees, as it is 

 known to withstand the attacks of the sea air 

 with peculiar hardiness. On being wounded, 

 it exsudes a great quantity of liquor, of which 

 good wine is made. There are two varieties of 

 the Great Maple or Sycamore : — one with broad 

 leaves and large keys — the other with variegated 

 leaves. The latter, when blended in large plan- 

 tations, afford a pleasing variety. This tre° is 

 frequently known by the names of Sycamore, 

 Mock Plane, and Plane Tree. 



In the second, or Common Maple, the bark is 

 rough and deeply fissured, the leaves growing in 

 pairs on long petioles ; being divided about half 

 way down into three lobes ; the side ones sub- 

 divided into two smaller ones, and the middle 

 one into three which are obtuse. The flowers 

 are greenish, hanging in thin, loose, short 

 clusters at the extremities of the branches. The 

 peduncles, when broken off while young, are lac- 

 tescent. The receptacle of the flower is spongv, 

 and divided into eight rays, a stamen being placed 

 between each. This is a tree of much humbler 

 growth than the former, and by no means so 

 ornamental : it may however be admitted in ex* 

 tensive plantations. 



The third sort, or Ash-leaved Virginia Maple,. 

 is a very strong-shooting tree of quick growth. 

 It is well calculated, on account of its pale green 

 leaves, which vary in form from those of the^ 

 other species, being composed of distinct lobes, 

 to constitute a pleasing variety in plantations ; 

 but they fall soon in the autumn. It should be 

 made use of in situations that are not much ex- 

 posed to the winds, as it is said to be apt to be 

 split by them. The wood is soft and brittle. 



TheMontpelier Mapleis a tree that grows about 

 twenty feet in height. The leaves resemble those 

 of the Common Maple, but are of thicker sub- 

 stance and not so large, have a shining green 

 colour, and continue their verdure late in the., 

 autumn; which renders the tree more valuable- 

 This sort is not common at present in this 

 country. The blow of the flowers is soon over, 

 and has not much beauty. It is occasionally 

 succeeded by ripe seed. This tree is common in 

 the southern parts of France and in Italy. 



The Norway Maple rises to a large size. The 

 leaves are smooth, and of a shining green colour, 

 fully as large as those of the first kind, and, from 

 the tree abounding in a sharp juice of a milky 

 appearance, seldom eaten or much injured by- 

 insects. They are more ornamental than those 

 of the Sycamore; the trees having in the spring, 

 when the flowers are in full blow, from then 

 fine yellow colour, a most beautiful effect. It i* 



