THE SYCAMORE. 



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are seen like a pinnacle rising erect from the circlet of drooping 



leaves. As the leaves enlarge and flatten out, and then stiffen and 



become horizontal once more, the flower gradually 



bends down and unfolds, until early in June it has 



developed into a raceme of green blossoms about tour 



inches in length. Each flower bears five petals, five 



sepals, eight stamens and a pistil, and grows on a 



separate stalk ; the main flower stalk bears opposite pairs, of these 



secondary ones, diverging from it at equal angles. The flower cluster is 



now pendent under the broad dark leaves. 



As summer passes, two small green fruits, hard and round, take 

 the place ot the flower ; they hang downwards, at first firmly 



linked together at the end of the flower stalk. 

 Every two-lobed fruit is turnished with a pair ot 

 green membranous wings springing from the base 

 in diverging directions. These wings are about 

 one-and-a-half inches in length, and late in the 

 summer change colour from green to rose-red. 



The shape of the leaf, with the most con- 

 spicuous veins, is shown in the drawing. The veins 

 show clearly, on the upper side as an indented 

 groove, on the under side as a ridge. The small 

 veins which cover the leat are hardly noticeable, yet 

 the blade is drawn into puckers between them. Both sides of the leaf 

 are smooth, the upper side the most glossy, the under side the lighter 

 in colour, and in summer it is covered with a gummy substance. Its 

 length varies from five to eight inches, and its width is even greater. 



The Sycamore is one of the first trees to shed its leaves ; they 

 usually turn yellow before falling, but otten shrivel while still on the 



