540 ACER. [CLASS VIIl. OBDER J. 



simple peduncles, as long or longer tlian the leaves, the flower solitary, 

 with a deep partite Calyx of linear lanceolate segments, which vary 

 in number from six to nine, as does also the corolla and valves of the 

 capsule. Corolla of a pure white, becoming rather pink, its segments 

 oblong, lanceolate, united at the base into a ring, but not forming a 

 tube. Stamens inserted into the ring, with slender filaments half as 

 long as the corolla. Anthers linear, becoming curved after bursting. 

 Style slender, longer than the stamens, swollen upwards into an obtuse 

 stigma. Capsule globose, somewhat fleshy, of one cell, opening with 

 about seven elliptic oblong incurved concave valves, soon falling away. 

 Seeds attached to the central free fleshy receptacle, roundish, covered 

 with a beautiful fine white netted coat. 



Habitat. — Woods and shady places in the North of England, but 

 rare ; more frequent in the Highlands of Scotland. 



Perennial; flowering in May and June. 



CLASS VIIL 

 OCTAN'DRIA 8 Stamens. 



ORDER I. 



MONOGY'NIA. 1 Pistil. 



GENUS I. A'CER Linn. Maple. 



Nat. Ord. Aceri'ne^. De Cand. 



Gen. Char. Calyx five-cleft. Petals five. Floivers polygamous. 

 Stamens eight, rarely five or ten. Fruit of two carpels, united at 

 the base, each with a long membranous wing, single-celled, and 

 from one to two seeded. — Name from acer, sharp or hard; from 

 the hardness of the wood or the qualities of the juice. — The 

 Maple is the badge of the Scottish Clan Oliphant. 

 1. A. Pseudo-pla^tanus, Linn. (Fig. 516.) Greater Maple, or 

 Sycamore. Leaves five-lobed, opaque glaucous beneath, unequally 

 serrated; racemes pendulous, elongated, compound at the base; ova- 

 rium villous; fruit smooth, with broad spreading wings. 



English Botany, t. 303.— English Flora, vol. ii. p. 230.— Hooker, 

 British Flora, vol. i. p. 179. — Lindley, Synopsis, p. 55. 



A large tree, with spreading branches, of quick growth, the bark 

 smooth, of a pale ash colour. Leaves numerous, opposite, on rather 



