MAPLE TKEE. 



235 



in their plantations. The gash does no harm to the 

 tree*." 



The Pennsylvanian Maple, Acer Pennsylvanicum, sel- 

 dom exceeds fifteen feet in height : the stem is slender, 

 covered with a whitish bark, and sending forth several 

 branches ; the leaves are nine inches long, and nearly as 

 Avide. This species was introduced here in 1755, by 

 Messrs. Kennedy and Lee. 



The Ash-leaved Maple, Acer negundo^ is a tree of 

 quick growth ; and in Virginia and Carolina, where its 

 growth is spontaneous, is one of the largest of the Maples : 

 the leaves are of a pale green, not lobed. ^ This tree is 

 apt to split if much exposed to keen winds : the wood is 

 soft and brittle, but is used for the same purposes as that 

 of the Norway Maple. It Avas cultivated in the garden 

 of the Bishop of London, at Fulham, in 1688. 



The Italian Maple, Acer opalus, is a common tree in 

 Italy, and one of the loftiest in that country ; it 

 is esteemed for the shade afforded by its large leaves, 

 and frequently planted near habitations, and by the sides 

 of the roads. It was cultivated by Mr. Miller in 1752. 



The Montpelier Maple, Acer Monspessulamwi, grows 

 about twenty feet high ; the leaves are of a shining green, 

 and preserve their freshness very late in the autumn. 

 Mr. Miller had this in his garden in the year 1739. 



The Cretan Maple, Acer Creticum, is very much like 

 the last-mentioned, and is about the same sized tree: 

 when young the leaves are ovate, but afterwards they 

 take the shape of the ivy-leaf before that becomes ovate. 

 When the trees are in a sheltered situation, the leaves 

 continue green the greater part of the year. It is from 



* See Martyn's edition of Miller's Gardening Dictionary. 



