SAPINDACEiE. 233 



downy, especially when young. Peduncles, pedicels, sepals, aud 

 young fruit hispid-downy. 



In both these species of Acer the fruit has occasionally 3, 

 or even 4 lobes, instead of only 2. 



Common Maple. 



French, Arable Conunun. German, Massholder, Feld Ahorn. 

 This species of Maple, though seldom of sufficient size to afford valuable timber, is 

 much prized for the beautiful wood it affords to the cabinet-maker. It was celebrated 

 amongst the ancient Romans, and of beautifully marked specimens of Maple wood we 

 find the celebrated Tigi-in and Pantherine tables were constructed. Some curiously- 

 veined and variegated knobs of this wood are said to have been worth their weight in 

 gold. In the time of VirgU we may suppose it was much esteemed, for he writes — 



" A maple throne raised higher from the ground 

 Received the Trojan chief." 



Pliny mentions the curious knobs and excrescences of this tree, which in their 

 contortions often represent the heads or figures of birds, beasts, or odd creatures of 

 the imagination, and we have recently seen a collection of walking-sticks the handles 

 of which were formed into all sorts of curious devices from the natui-al growths of the 

 Maple and other trees. The wood is very valuable to the turner, and is of so good a 

 texture that vessels may be produced so thin as to transmit light. The young shoots 

 being tough and flexible are employed in some parts of France by coachmen as whips 

 Though small and dwarfish in size, owing in a gi-eat measure to the practice of con- 

 tinually clipping off the branches, when allowed to grow freely the Maple has been 

 known to exist for more than two centuries ; and at Knowle, in Kent, the Duke of 

 Dorset's seat, is one specimen measuring 12 to 14 feet in height. When allowed to 

 grow in this way the timber makes excellent gun-stocks and screws for cider-presses. 

 In the spring we often find the younger foliage of the Maple covered over with little 

 red spots, which are proved to be caused by the puncture of an insect when forming 

 a nidus to deposit its eggs. Dr. Withering mentions that to the admirers of the 

 picturesque and the lovei-s of human nature the Maple tree has acquired additional 

 interest from the fact that beneath its shade rest the remains of the good and 

 exemplary parish priest Gilpin, whose love of nature was in harmony with his love of 

 all that was good and true. The ]\Iaple tree written of by Pliny had its reputation 

 in medicine. Gerarde, who devoutly quotes this old author, himself says : " What 

 use the Maple hath in medicine we find nothing written of the Grecians, but Pliny in 

 his 14 booke, 8 chapter, afiirmeth ' that the root pouned and applied is a singular 

 remedy for the paine of the liver.' Serenus Sammonicus writeth that it is drunke 

 with wine against the paines of the side." 



" Thy harmlesse side if sharpe disease invade. 

 In hissing water quench a heated stone ; 

 This drinke. Or maple root in powder made 

 Take off in wine, a present med'cine knowne." 



VOL. II. 2 H 



