56 THE COMMON, OB FIELD MAPLE. 



valued, and manufactured into such ornaments as the limited 

 size of the material would allow. 



In the Molluscum the veins were wide apart from each 

 other. The Bruscum was deemed most valuable when the 

 arrangement of the veins resembled some animal (as was 

 occasionally the case), and gave the wood a dark hue. The 

 latter was preferred for making tables., " And such spotted 

 tables," says Evelyn, " were the famous Tigrin and Pan- 

 therine curiosities ; not so called from being supported 

 with figures carved like those beasts, as some conceive, and 

 was in use even in our grandfathers' days, but from the 

 natural spots and maculations. Such a table was that of 

 Cicero, which cost him ten thousand sesterces (about 62L 

 sterling) ; such another had Asinius Gallus. That of King 

 Juba was sold for fifteen thousand ; and another which I 

 read of, valued at a hundred and forty thousand sesterces, 

 which, at about three halfpence sterling, arrives to a pretty 

 sum (875/. sterling) ; and yet that of Mauritanian Ptolemie 

 was far richer, containing four feet and a half diameter, 

 three inches thick, which is reported to have sold for its 

 weight in gold. Of that value they were, and so madly 

 luxurious the age, that when they at any time reproached 

 their wives for their wanton expensiveness in pearl and 

 other rich trifles, they were wont to retort, and turn the 

 tables upon their husbands." 1 



Spenser appears to have considered the timber of the 

 standing tree peculiarly liable to decay, for he speaks of 



" The Maple seldom inward sound." 



1 The Bird's-eye Maple of modern cabinet-makers is the wood of 

 the Sugar, or Rock Maple. The trunk of this tree is rejected for 

 civil and naval architecture ; but the wood of the old trees is valued 

 for inlaying mahogany. The appearance from which it derives its 

 name proceeds from the twisting of the silver grain, which produces 

 numerous knots like the eye of birds. 



