THE MAPLE. 107 



knife, its corklike bark presents the figure of a star 

 with five or more rays, sometimes irregularly, but 

 generally exactly defined. A thin slice from this 

 surface (see Plate 3. Fig. 1.) is a beautiful and 

 curious object in the microscope, exhibiting the 

 different channels, and variously-formed tubes, 

 through which the sap flows, and the air circulates 

 for the supply of all the diversified requirements of 

 the plant ; and it is good and delightful to contem- 

 plate the wonderful mechanism that has been de- 

 vised by the Almighty Architect, for the sustenance 

 and particular necessities of the simple maple, this 

 " ditch trumpery," as Gilpin calls it ; which natu- 

 rally leads one to consider that, if he have so 

 regarded such humble objects, how much more has 

 he accounted worthy of his beneficence the more 

 highly destined orders of his creation ! As Eve- 

 lyn says, on another occasion, t( I beg no pardon 

 for this application, but deplore my no better use 

 of it." Modern practice records no medicinal vir- 

 tues to be derived from the maple ; but Pliny, in 

 the quaint language of old Philemon Holland, tells 

 us that a cataplasm made from the roots of this 

 tree, is " singular to be applied for the griefs of 

 the liver, and worketh mightily." In summer, the 

 leaves of the hedgerow maple often assume a whitish 

 mouldy look, which appears to be a mere exuda- 

 tion, as it neither presents any after character, nor 

 have I observed that any thing results from it. 

 The young leaves, soon after their appearance in 

 the spring, are beset with numerous fine spines of 



