28 ACERACEJE. 



very transient notice, or only mentioned it as a tree of very 

 inferior rank and quality, we should not feel justified in 

 omitting it altogether in the present volume, both as being 

 one of a not very numerous list of indigenous British trees, 

 and for the appearance we have seen it assume, and the 

 dimensions it has acquired when planted in a favourable 

 soil and situation, and treated as a tree. Under such, 

 favourable circumstances we have frequently seen it attain 

 a size nearly approaching that of a tree of the first rank, 

 with a handsome outline and picturesque appearance ; such 

 examples are now growing upon the banks of the Wans- 

 beck, near Morpeth, and other places in Northumberland, 

 and these corroborate the opinion the author of " Forest 

 Scenery" was inclined to form of the picturesque appear- 

 ance of the Maple, in the few instances he met with it in a 

 state of maturity. 



In the south of England it is very rarely planted or 

 treated as a tree, and therefore seldom to be seen in that 

 form ; for, growing principally in hedges and copse- woods, 

 it is regularly cut over and treated as a bush, like other 

 shrubs of inferior growth, such as the hazel, black-thorn, 

 &c. Though indigenous in the south and midland counties 

 it does not extend to the most northern or to Scotland, 

 neither has it been found in Ireland. Upon the Con- 

 tinent its distribution seems extensive, comprehending all 

 the middle states of Europe, and it is also mentioned as a 

 native of Northern Asia. 



The wood of this species when allowed to become a tree, 

 and of a proper age, is very compact, possesses a fine 

 grain, sometimes beautifully veined, and susceptible of a 

 high polish, and there can be little doubt, if cultivated 

 and brought to market in quantity, would soon be exten- 

 sively used in turnery and other work requiring wood 



