FAB EASTERN MAPLES. 



853 



to be of value. The leaves are somewhat like those of Acer pictum, 

 o-lobed, cordate at the base, with acuminate apices, reddish when first 

 produced, and when mature a bright green. It was detected by Wilson 

 in South Wushan, where it inhabits the sides of streams. (Fig. 92.) 



An interesting little Maple is the form of the Indian Acer Icevigatum 

 called Fargesii. 



It is dwarf and slow-growing, and looks rather tender, but at present 

 has taken no harm in the open at Coombe Wood. On the mountains 

 south of the Yangtsze, where it is an uncommon tree, it is said to attain a 

 height of from 25 to 30 feet. 



The leaves are leathery in texture, entire or slightly notched, and 

 when first produced are of a bright crimson hue. Judging from the 

 dried specimen collected in China, this form must be very handsome 

 when in fruit, as the " keys," which are rather small but abundantly pro- 

 duced, are coloured bright crimson. The cells of the " keys " are globular 

 in shape and horizontal ; the wings are widely divergent. (Fig. 91.) 



Acer Francheti is a species allied to Acer villosum of the Himalayas, 

 from which it may be distinguished by its trilobed leaves, the small teeth 

 on the margin, the simple inflorescence, &c. 



It is common in the province of Hupeh, where it forms a handsome 

 tree, varying in height from twelve to forty feet, and usually inhabiting 

 the sides of streams. 



The blade of the trilobed leaves measures about 5^ inches in length, 

 and about the same in breadth, with irregularly serrate margins and an 

 acuminate apex. The petiole is grooved along its length, pubescent, as 

 is also the young wood ; the leaf -blade is glabrous. The " keys " are 

 very large, with strongly-nerved drooping and converging wings. Plants 

 are now growing in the open at Coombe Wood. (Fig. 88.) 



Acer sutchuenense is a trilobed species closely related to A. Henryi in 

 the leaf, but with a different inflorescence. In Acer Henryi the flowers 

 are borne in a long drooping raceme, but in A. sutchitenense they form 

 globular heads, reminding one of the flowers of the Ivy. Acer sutchuenense 

 was detected by Dr. Henry in Szechuen, close to the border of Hupeh, 

 and was collected by Wilson in the last-named province. 



It was first described by M. Franchet from specimens collected by 

 Pere Farges. (Figs. 93, 96.) 



Another new variety among the Chinese seedlings is a form of Acer 

 tetramerum (A. betulijolium of Maximowicz) called lobulatum. 



It is a very graceful form, and at Coombe Wood is of fairly rapid 

 growth, seedling plants having already reached a height of 8 feet. 



The leaves are rather small, resembling those of a Birch, but with a 

 margin cut into lobes, bright lively green in colour, and gracefully 

 disposed on the branches. 



For associating with the broad-leaved species or with our own native 

 trees, the variety promises to be admirably adapted. (Figs. 94, 97.) 



Acer oblongum is another species recently introduced from China. 

 According to Loudon it was first sent to this country in 1824 from 

 Nepal, but proved too delicate for cultivating in the open garden unless 

 protected by a wall. It is a native of the temperate Himalayas from 

 Kashmir to Sikkim, also of Hong Kong, Loochoo Islands, and Formosa, 



