138 FIRST STEPS IN GENERAL KNOWLEDGE. 



that it is a favourite tree with bees ; but it is from 

 a North American species * that maple-sugar is 

 obtained in sufficient quantities to reward the 

 manufacturer." 



"You have told us of several plants which pro- 

 duce sugar," said Henry : " but when shall we 

 come to the tea-plants ?" 



" I am just going to introduce you to the group 

 to which they belong, and which includes tribes of 

 various growth ; but most of them remarkable for 

 producing abundance of resin." 



" I have read an account of the tea-plant/' said 

 Mary, "and they say it is about the size of a 

 gooseberry bush/' 



" Then I fear," said her father, " that you have so 

 connected it with a gooseberry bush in your mind, 

 that I shall not be able to give you a true idea of 

 the plant until we visit some botanical garden 

 where a specimen may be seen." 



"The leaves are like gooseberry leaves, are 

 they not, papa ?" 



" Go and ask for some tea-leaves in the kitchen, 

 and examine for yourself," said her father. 



Mary soon brought some damp tea-leaves ; but 

 * Acer saccliarinum. 



