322 



THE MAPLE. 



/'AAY I 



FLOWER OF FIELD MAPLE. 



THE FLOWERS. 



The flovvcr-stalk grows vertically between the topmost pair vi 

 leaves, from the apex of the shoot, and in a line with it. Smaller 

 stalks — slender and reddish-green in colour — spring from it at intervals, 

 and still smaller ones, each supporting a Horet, grow from these. The 

 florets ha\'e five delicate green petals. Five sepals alternate with these, 

 and reseml)lc them so closely as to give the apjK'arance of a secoinl set ot 

 petals; while ^till in the Inid thev enclose anti completely conceal the inner 

 parts of the flower. The eight stamens, pale and tip[ieti with yellow, are 

 embedded in a round fleshy mass, in the centre of the flower, which 

 represents the future fruit in its rudimentary stage. 



I 



