AUGUST. 371 



contrasted with the more naked trees which surround it. 

 On vigorous specimens the leaves are from four to five inches 

 broad, rounded at the base, divided into three acute lobes, 

 and finely serrated ; the flowers are generally arranged and 

 grouped in long pendulous peduncles, and are succeeded by 

 large seed or keys, similar in shape to other maples, but 

 which make a pretty appearance at that season. 



The bark is smooth and green when young, but it soon 

 begins to assume that peculiar character, by which it is at 

 once detected among all other trees. As soon as the stems 

 attain the age of two or three years the bark begins to yield 

 and separate, longitudinally, leaving the inside cellular tis- 

 sue to show itself, of a pure white, which gives it a singular 

 striated appearance ; in a short time the white changes to a 

 darker color, and in deeply-shaded forests the stripes are 

 black, by which it is distinguished at all seasons of the year. 



The Striped Maple is readily raised from seeds, which are 

 produced in abundance on the young trees, or it may be 

 grafted on the common English Sycamore, (A. pseudo plat- 

 anus) by which its growth is greatly increased, Michaux 

 says, to four times its ordinary size. In this way it is propa- 

 gated in France. The seeds should be planted in the au- 

 tumn, in beds, as with the Sugar or Red Maple. The second 

 year the young seedlings should be removed to the nursery, 

 where they may remain till large enough to transplant where 

 they are intended to grow. 



We commend this species to the attention of all lovers of 

 fine trees, particularly to those who a,re forming ornamental 

 plantations, where a good undergrowth is desired, or where 

 curious and beautiful specimens are an object. The attrac- 

 tive appearance of its rose-colored buds in April, the deep 

 green of its thick and serrated leaves in summer, and the 

 lively aspect of its striated bark in winter, give it a prominent 

 claim upon the attention of all who appreciate variety in land- 

 scape scenery. 



