64 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 



the sugar maple, the curled maple, and the 

 birds'-eye maple." 



" But you are mistaken, my dears ; the 

 curled maple and the birds'-eye are not dis- 

 tinct kinds ; they are only accidental varieties. 

 But I will tell you the seven different kinds, 

 and explain to you what the difference is. 



" The first is the white maple, which is 

 very plentiful in the Western States, and par- 

 ticularly on the banks of the Ohio : the leaves 

 are very beautiful, bright green on the 

 upper side, and of a brilliant white on the 

 under : and this charming variety adds won- 

 derfully to the loveliness of the forests in that 

 fertile region. It is the largest of all the ma- 

 ples, being often seen four or five feet thick, 

 and the branches spread out so widely that a 

 single tree covers a very large space. The 

 wood is silvery white, but it is the softest and 

 lightest of all, and from its want of strength 

 is not very much used. It is made into 

 wooden bowls, and the charcoal that is made 

 from it is very much liked by hatters, and va- 

 rious other workmen who desire a steady, 

 permanent heat." 



" And do they not make sugar from this 

 kind, Uncle Philip ?" 



