122 THE COMMON, OR FIELD MAPLE. 



of the Sycamore, are five-lobed, but obtuse and 

 much smaller. Its flowers appear in April, about 



LEAVES AND FLOWERS OF THE FIELD MAPLE. 



a fortnight before the leaves, and abound in sac- 

 charine juice. They are similarly constructed 

 with those of the Sycamore, but grow in erect, 

 instead of drooping, clusters ; and the keys, which 

 diff'er principally in size from those of the other 

 species, are tinged with red. Besides being in- 

 digenous to Britain, the Maple grows naturally in 

 the middle and south of the European Continent, 

 and in the north of Asia. 



In France, it appears to serve the purposes of 

 man more than in this country. According to 



