XXXVIII. 
THE MAPLE. 
Tur MAPLE (Acer).—This genus composes almost entirely 
the natural order Aceracee, and comprehends upwards of twenty 
hardy species which are cultivated in Britain (natives of 
Europe, America, and of India), besides a great number of 
kinds which are too tender to endure the climate of Britain. 
It is believed that there are many valuable hardy kinds of the 
maple, which flourish on the lofty mountains of India, in 
Japan, and China, which have not yet been introduced into 
this country. Some of our cultivated species consist of dis- 
tinct and interesting varieties. Two or three of the species 
attain the full size of timber trees, and the growth of the 
others ranges from that of trees of a medium size down to the 
stature of shrubs. The whole genus is remarkably handsome. 
Some of the species grow rapidly at an early age in almost 
any soil, yielding fine green smooth shoots. Many kinds are 
interesting on account of their flowering early at the time of 
the expansion of the foliage ; and from their elegantly-lobed 
leaves, of the finest texture, which in autumn furnish the most 
exquisite tints of every shade of yellow and scarlet, they are 
much esteemed in ornamental plantations. 
A. pseudo-Platanus (L.): The Mock Plane-tree, or Sycamore. 
—tThis tree is the largest and most common, although certainly 
not the most ornamental, species. It is a native of Switzer- 
land, Germany, Austria, and Italy, where it is found associ- 
ated with other trees in hilly situations. It was introduced 
into Britain about 300 years ago, and it appears to have been 
one of our first cultivated timber trees. In Scotland, it gene- 
rally marks the first spots of reclaimed land throughout the 
