348 THE MAPLE. 
trees, it sometimes displays rich undulations of fibre, and 
yields gnarled and spotted timber, much esteemed as veneers, 
etc.; and known, together with the knotted timber of the 
common field maple, 4. campestris, under the popular name of 
Bird’s-eye maple. Its timber is esteemed as fuel. Its char- 
coal has the highest reputation ; and its ashes, abounding in 
alkaline principles, are said to furnish more of the potash of 
commerce than any other American tree. 
The large-leaved maple—A. macrophyllum (Pursh)—is a native 
of North America; hardy, and of rapid growth, it attains to 
a great size. It is very ornamental, and yields timber beau- 
tifully veined and valuable. It was introduced into Britain 
in 1812, and is not yet in general cultivation; it is readily 
propagated by layers. 
The red or scarlet maple—A. rubrum (L.),—a native of North 
America, is a low-growing tree, ornamental in its develop- 
ment of red blossom, late in spring or early in summer. It 
luxuriates in a rich soil, and endures moisture better than 
any other species. When old, it sometimes produces timber 
very valuable, owing to its curled and undulating fibre yield- 
ing a display of light and shade rarely surpassed by any 
other wood. It is difficult to raise this species from seed, 
therefore it is commonly propagated by layers. 
A. circinatum (Pursh).—This is a recently introduced hardy 
tree of the Oregon, where it forms impenetrable thickets, 
rising to the height of from twenty to forty feet, with pendu- 
lous branches, yielding leaves which, in autumn, surpass the 
brilliancy of the finest scarlet oaks. 
A. villosum (Wallich).—This is a hardy maple, recently 
introduced by Osborne and Co., of the Fulham nursery, from 
the Himalayas, where it is said to attain a great size, and to 
possess an appearance much superior to the sycamore. Speak- 
ing of it in its native country, Dr. Royle says, it is only 
seen with pines and birches on the loftiest mountains, which 
are for many months covered with snow. 
The other species of this genus, although very ornamental, 
are of smaller growth. 
