THE SYCAMORE. 129 



fore called the sugar maple. Very good wine 

 and vinegar are also obtained from this tree." 



THE SYCAMORE. 



We ought now to mention/' I said,, the 

 Sycamore^ another species of the maple^ and 

 a very beautiful tree. The word Sycamore^ 

 which means wild-fig^ does not properly belong 

 to it ; for^ though the leaves have some resem- 

 blance^ they are quite different plants. Its 

 Latin name^ acer psmdo plat anus y the false plane 

 maple y IS more accurate^ as regards its appear- 

 ance. This tree will grow close to the sea- 

 side, and is little affected even by the dashing 

 of the salt spray. It affords a very pleasing 

 shade from its large leaves, which are of a 



K 



