MAPLE FAinLT. 



91 



cup-like. Petals none. JVT/if (including the -wing) 2-3 inches long, one of the carpels 

 usually abortive : pedicels of the fruit an inch long. Seeds large ; embryo nearly straight. 

 Banks of rivers : Maine to Georgia. J*?. April. Jr. May -June. 



Obs. This has "been extensively introduced into our cities and vil- 

 lages, as an ornamental tree. — and is often mistaken for the true Sugar 

 Maple. It appears, indeed, fi-om the researches of Prof. A. Gray, that 

 Linnaeus established the A. saccharinum upon a specimen of this plant ; 

 but, as it was done under a misapprehension of its character, the name 

 has been very properly transferred, by all succeeding Botanists, to the 

 real sugar-producing species. The Silver Maple, however, is by no 

 means to be compared with the Sugar Maple, even as a shade tree, — 

 and much less for its economical value. 



A.H. 



5. A. ru'bnim, L. Leaves generally S-lobed with the sinuses acute, 

 subcordate at base, — the lobes acute, spreading, unequally incised- 

 dentate : flowers ag.sregated on rather long pedicels ; ovary glabrous. 

 Eed Acer. Bed Maple. Swamp Maple. 



40 - 60 or so feet high, and 1-2 feet or more in diameter, branched, the young 

 branches purplish. Zwi-e^ 2-4 inches long ; jpe/ioZe^ 1 or 2 -5 inches long. jPZou'ers ap- 

 pearing before the leave?, in fascicles of fives. Calyx petaloid, and with the petals bright 

 purple, or often yellowish-tawny. Fruit (inclading the wing) near an inch long. 



Fig. 68. A leaf of the Red Maple (Acer rubrum) . with its winged key -fruit (samara.) 

 69. A staminate flower. 70. A pistillate flower, both enlarged. 



