Chap. 26.] 
VARIETIES OE THE MAPLE, 
367 
wood of this tree is proof against the attacks of worms : it is 
of moderate height®^ only, but of very considerable utility. 
CHAP. 26. (15.)— TEK YAETETIES OE THE MAPLE. 
The maple, which is pretty nearly of the same^'^ size as the 
lime, is inferior to the citrus only for the beauty of its wood 
when employed for cabinet work, and the exquisite finish it 
admits of. There are numerous varieties'^* of this tree ; the 
light maple, remarkable for the extreme whiteness of its wood, 
is known as the Gallic maple in Italy beyond the Padus, 
being a native of the countries beyond the Alps. Another 
kind is covered with wavy spots running in all directions. 
In consequence of its superior beauty it has received its name,^^ 
from its strong resemblance to the marks which are seen in 
the tail of the peacock ; the finest kinds are those which grow 
in Istria and Ehsetia. An inferior sort of maple is known as 
crassivenium."^^ 
The Greeks distinguish the varieties according to their re- 
spective localities. The maple of the plains,^® they say, is 
white,, and not wavy; they give it the name of glinon." 
On the other hand, the mountain maple,^^ they say, is of a 
more variegated appearance, and harder, the wood of the male 
tree being more particularly so, and the best adapted for spe- 
80 u Teredo." If he means under this name to include the tinea as 
well, the assertion is far too general, as this wood is eaten away by insects, 
though more slowly than the majority of the non-resinous woods. It is 
sometimes perforated quite through by the larvae of the byrrhus, our death- 
watch. 
This is incorrect. It attains a very considerable height, and some- 
times an enormous size. The trunk is known to grow to as much as forty 
or fifty feet in circumference. 
82 The maple is much less in size than what the lime or linden really is, 
83 See B. xiii. c. 29. 
8^ Fee says there are but five varieties of the maple known in France. 
He doubts whether the common maple, the Acer campestre of Linnaeus, 
was known to the ancients. 
85 Fee identifies it with the Acer pseudo-platanus of Linneeus, the Acer 
montanum candidum of C. Bauhin. This tree is not uncommon in Italy. 
8^ " Acer pavonaceum :" " peacock maple." He gives a similar account 
of the spots on the wood of the citrus, B. xiii. c. 19. 
8"^ Or ^' thick- veined'' maple. 
88 Shpposed by Fee to be the Acer Monspessulanus of LinnsBUs, also the 
Acer trilobum of Linnaeus. 
89 A variety of the Acer pseudo-platanus of Linnaeus, according to Fee. 
