190 STUDY OF COMMON PLANTS. 



XXVIII. THE MAPLE FAMILY. ACERACEJE. 



MATERIAL ' REQUIRED. 



Flowers of the different species of maples as they open in the spring. 

 Fruits of the sugar maple gathered after they have fallen from the 



trees in the autumn. Fruits of the red and silver maples gathered 



in the summer. 

 Leaves of all the species. Either fresh or pressed specimens of the 



latter will serve. 



Flowers. 



The flowers of the red maple open early in the spring 

 arid may be taken first. Specimens should be gathered 

 from a number of trees so as to have the different forms of 

 flowers for comparison. 



I. Observe the position of the flower bud and the color 

 and position of the bud-scales. 



II. Compare the flowers of different trees. Select 

 first, for critical study, those that have well-developed 

 stamens. 



1. How many divisions of the calyx are there? Of the 



corolla ? 



2. Is this number the same in all the specimens ? Does 



it correspond with the number of stamens ? 



3. How are the stamens inserted ? 



4. Is there a pistil ? 



5. Are there any organs for the secretion of nectar? 



