346 THE MAPLE. 
glutinous or clammy substance, which retains dust and every 
impurity of the atmosphere, the foliage soon becomes dingy, 
and the tree loses half its charms. One of the finest trees 
of this species stands at Burgie Castle, Morayshire, with a 
trunk upwards of thirteen feet in circumference, and the 
diameter of its top, or spread of its boughs, measures ninety 
feet. 
Not only was the sycamore well suited to the soil and 
climate of Scotland, but its timber, which is white and closely 
grained, was well adapted for the manufacture of household 
vessels, such as bowls, cups, and other articles of turnery in 
general use during a bygone age, but now superseded by 
earthenware. The timber is susceptible of a fine polish, is 
not apt to warp, and is employed as moulds and pattern- 
blocks in manufactories, stair rails, and like purposes, and 
commonly sells at very various prices in different districts. 
Norway Maple—A. Platanoides (L.)—This species is quite 
hardy, and when young its rapidity of growth exceeds that 
of the sycamore, although ultimately it does not attain the 
dimensions of that tree. Its foliage is of a fine form and 
texture, of a glossy polish, which retains a lively green 
throughout the summer. In autumn the leaves assume 
various tints, in which yellow prevails. It luxuriates in a 
deep, well-drained soil, and its mode of propagation and sub- 
sequent treatment should be the same as that recommended 
for the sycamore. This species includes several distinct 
varieties, conspicuous among which is the cut-leaved or 
eagle’s-claw maple, a very ornamental tree, which is readily 
propagated by grafts or buds, using the common sycamore as 
the stock. 
The Striped-Barked—A. striatum (L.)—or snake-barked maple 
is very ornamental at all seasons. The bark is longitudinally 
marked with black and white stripes. It is indigenous to 
North America, and generally attains a height of from twenty 
to thirty feet. It is sometimes propagated from imported 
seeds, but more frequently by being grafted on the common 
sycamore. Its wood is white, and esteemed in cabinet-work. 
