MAPLE. 257 



moistened, it bursts open with four valves, which assume 

 the form of a cross. In the seed, if soaked in warm 

 water, and then carefully examined, you may discover the 

 roots and long radicle-leaves of the future plant, folded 

 up with the utmost care; as also minute leaves, destined 

 to succeed them : these small leaves are beautifully green, 

 a fact not readily explained, as light is excluded by three 

 coatings and a woolly wrapper. Thus wondrously is the 

 wisdom and beneficence of the Creator manifested in the 

 provision appointed for the preservation of even a small 

 seed. 



Though growing freely in my adopted country, time was 

 when the sycamore had neither a name nor place among 

 indigenous forest-trees. Naturalists relate that my an- 

 cestor was originally exotic, the native of a sunny clime, 

 and introduced into Britain for ornament and shade. 

 Turner and Evelyn hold this opinion, and Parkinson, the 

 herbalist, relates, that in his time my tribe ' ' was no where 

 found wilde, or naturall in our lande, as he could learne, 



s 



