130 



THE SYCAMORE. 



dark green colour on the upper side^ but 

 paler and somewhat hoary below. The flowers, 

 which are very small, are of a greenish white 

 hue, followed by a large fruit, beautifully va- 

 riegated with green and purple. The growth 

 of this tree is rapid, and it will continue in- 

 creasing for two hundred years. The wood is 

 much used by turners ; and is also employed 

 for saddle-trees, cutting-boards, patterns for 

 founders, and other works that require wood 

 of compact smooth texture, not liable to warp 

 by exposure to damp or heat. Sometimes, it 

 is very beautifully mottled, and, as it takes a 

 fine polish, is used for certain parts of musical 

 instruments. In this state, it is called Bird's 

 eye maple by cabinet makers. A liquor, of a 

 sugary kind, may be obtained also from this 

 species of maple ; and, I believe, the High- 



