128 



THE MAPLE. 



And now^ what have we here ? A Maple 

 BusH^ I thmk. The leaves^ though smaller^ 

 are not much unlike those of the fig. It never 

 grows to the size of a considerable tree, and is 

 chiefly planted in hedge-rows and in coppices. 

 The wood, however, is curiously veined, and 

 capable of being turned into cups and bowls, 

 which are almost as transparent as horn. The 

 ancients were particularly fond of rural uten- 

 sils formed of this wood." 



I have seen," said Mr. Longhurst, a 

 variety of the maple, in North America, which 

 grows to the height of fifty or sixty feet. It 

 is cultivated there on account of its sweet 

 juice, which is made into sugar. It is there- 



