FAR EASTERN MAPLES. 



337 



The many forms of this fine species are very ornamental, and all are 

 worthy of cultivation in this country. Among the best are : 



A. japonicum aureum, distinguished from the type by having leaves 

 of a soft pale yellow with rose-coloured foot-stalks and nerves ; they are 

 palmately divided into 10-12 lobes, fan-shaped in outline, and entirely 

 glabrous on the upper surface. The under side is hairy and tufts of 

 hair occur in the axils of the primary and secondary veins. 



It is a remarkably handsome plant, seldom exceeding the size of a 

 shrub, and admirably adapted for planting in borders, where it should 

 be contrasted with some dark foliage to enhance the brightness of its 

 own golden-coloured leaves. 



A. japonicum laciniatum differs from the type in having its leaves 

 deeply cut into lobes, which are again divided in a pinnatifid manner, 

 giving a Fern-like appearance to the foliage. In autumn a rich claret- 

 purple tint is assumed, relieved at the tips by yellow. (Fig. 77.) 



Acer japonicum vitifolium is a very handsome form, which produces 

 such a wealth of fanlike leaves that the branches are entirely hidden 

 during the period of growth. 



The sharp points of the leaf-lobes give the foliage a general resem- 

 blance to some species of Vitis, but the ten to twelve lobes into which 

 they are divided are never found in a Vine. A fully developed leaf-blade 

 measures from 4^ to 5 inches from the base to the tip, and has a finely 

 serrate margin. In autumn the tints assumed vary from terra-cotta- 

 yellow with a suffusion of deep claret-purple. The young wood is reddish- 

 purple, deepening to almost black. The wings of the "keys " are reddish 

 when young and widely separated. 



A robust specimen at Coombe Wood, 14 feet in height, has a spread 

 of branches measuring 20 feet in diameter. (Fig. 78.) 



A. japonicum microphyllum has leaves like those of the type, but of 

 smaller size ; they are of a bright green colour and entirely glabrous 

 except in the axils of the principal veins on the under surface. 



The "keys " are produced plentifully, and are remarkable for standing 

 erect on the tree and not drooping as these usually do. 



A specimen plant at Coombe Wood measures 12 feet in height, with 

 a spread of branches 11 feet in diameter. (Fig. 79.) 



The fine Acer Miyabei was discovered in the northern island of 

 Japan by Professor Miyabe, the accomplished botanist attached to the 

 Agricultural College at Sapporo, and is of comparatively recent intro- 

 duction to this country. It bears some resemblance to the Norway 

 Maple in habit, and makes a medium-sized tree, 30 to 40 feet in height, 

 with the spreading branches forming a round-topped head. 



The leaves are 5-lobed, 4 to 5 inches in diameter, with sinuate 

 margins, the upper and under surfaces hairy, especially along the 

 veins. 



The petiole is from 5 to 7 inches in length and grooved along the 

 upper side. The lobed leaves give the tree a graceful appearance, and 

 their bright green colour is of a less sombre hue than that of the Norway 

 Maple, which it otherwise resembles. The " keys " are produced in a 

 drooping corymb ; the cells are flat and covered with a short tomentum ; 

 the wings widely divergent and almost straight. A specimen at Coombe 



