80 



is very abundant in nearly all parts of the county. The leaves vary 

 greatly in size and shape, and the fruit varies in size, position of the 

 keys as regards each other, and their color. In Gray's Manual this 

 maple is spoken of as "a small tree," which is evidently an accidental 

 mistake, as it often grows to great size. Two trees growing in 

 " Blind-HoleSwamp," Danvers, in 1865, measured by Mr. Sears, were, 



(1) Circumference 8 feet 6 inches at 1 foot from ground. 



7 " 5 " " 6 feet " " 



90 " high, 24 feet to first limb. 



(2) " 8 " inches at 2i feet from ground. 

 < 7 " 5 " " 6 " " " 



Height 50 ft., spread of branches 50 ft. in diameter. 



In Ipswich, near the homestead of Mrs. Warner, on the bank of the 

 river, is a remarkably fine old Red Maple, which measured, in 1875, as 



follows : 



Circumference 13 feet 9 inches at 1 foot from ground. 

 '< 14 " 2 ' "5 feet " " 



Just above, the trunk divides into sixteen limbs; the height is 

 about 55 feet, and the spreading branches make their greatest diameter 

 74 feet. 



Mrs. Homer sends the measurements of a Red Maple lately felled 

 near Gage's ferry, Bradford, 1876. 



Circumference 26 feet at 4 feet from the ground, one branch circum- 

 ference 12i feet. Mrs. Homer states that there are several other 

 large Red Maples left in this region. 



ACER PSEUDO-PLATANUS (SYCAMORE MAPLE), ACER PLATANOIDES 

 (AUSTRIAN MAPLE.) European trees which are frequent in cultivation, 

 where they often rival the native species in the strength and rapidity 

 of their growth. 



Negundo aceroides, Moench. (ASH-LEAVED MAPLE. BOX-ELDKR.) 

 This is the Acer negundo, L., a northern plant extending into Penn- 

 sylvania. It is cultivated in this vicinity, and it has occasionally been 

 found escaped. A variegated leaved form is also found in cultivation. 



LEGTTMINOSJE. 

 (PULSE Family.) 



GENISTA TINCTORIA, L. (WOAD-WAXEN, DYER'S WEED.) Intro- 

 duced early from Europe, this plant has become most thoroughly 

 established in the county. The masses of its gorgeous yellow flowers 

 in July, make the otherwise barren hills in the vicinity of Salem a 

 magnificent sight. At one point in the Salem Great Pastures scarcely 

 anything but this plant can be.seen for miles around. A near relative 

 of this plant, Cytisus scoparius (Scotch Broom), runs wild in Virginia. 



