THE OCCIDENTAL PLANE. 



287 



It is a fast-growing tree, and prefers a good soil near 

 running water, and is propagated either by layers, cuttings, 

 or seeds, the first method being preferred. 



THE OCCIDENTAL PLANE. 

 Platanus occidentalis. 



The Occidental, or American 

 Plane, closely resembles the 

 preceding ; but it may be dis- 

 tinguished by its leaves being 

 larger and less deeply lobed, 

 and in winter by its larger 

 seed-balls. These remain at- 

 tached to the tree till the 

 leaves expand in the follow^- 

 ing spring, and present a very 

 singular combination of de- 

 caying stems with the delicate 

 green of the expanding leaves. 

 "Its stem is very picturesque. 

 It is smooth, and of a light 

 ash-colour, and has the pro- 

 perty of throwing off its bark 

 in scales ; thus naturally clean- 

 sing itself, at least its larger 

 boughs, from moss and other 

 parasitical encumbrances. This 



