THE COMMON^ OR FIELD MAPLE. 



125 



manufactured into sncli ornaments as the limited 

 size of the material would allow. 



In the ]Molluscum the veins were wide apart 

 from each other. The Bruscum was deemed most 

 valuable, when the arrangement of the veins re- 

 sembled some animal (as was occasionally the 

 case), and gave the wood a dark hue. The latter 

 was preferred for making tables. And such 

 spotted tables," says Evelyn, ^Svere the famous 

 Tigrin and Pantherine curiosities ; not so called 

 from being supported with figures carved like 

 those beasts, as some conceive, and was in use 

 even in our grandfathers' days, but from the 

 natui'al spots and macula tions. Such a table was 

 that of Cicero, which cost him ten thousand ses- 

 terces (about 62/. sterling) ; such another had 

 Asinius Grallus. That of King Juba was sold 

 for fifteen thousand; and another which 1 read of, 

 valued at a hundred and forty thousand sesterces, 

 which, at about three halfpence sterling, arrives 

 to a pretty sum (875/. sterling) ; and yet that of 

 Mauritanian Ptolemie was far richer, containing 

 four feet and a half diameter, three inches thick, 

 which is reported to have sold for its weight in gold. 

 Of that value they were, and so madly luxurious 

 the age, that when they at any time reproached 

 their ^vives for their wanton expensiveness in pearl 

 and other rich trifles, they were wont to retort, 

 and turn the tables upon their husbands."* 



Spenser appears to have considered the timber 



* The Bird's-eye ^Maple of modem cabinet-makers is tlie wood of 

 the Sugar, or Rock, Maple. The trunk of this tree is rejected for 

 civil and naval architecture ; but the wood of old trees is valued for 

 inlaying mahogany. The appearance from which it derives its name 

 proceeds from the twisting of the silver grain, which produces nu- 

 merous knots like the eye of birds. 



