RED FLOWERING MAPLE. 
99 
and the Walnuts. I have nowhere observed it of as ample dimensions as 
in Pennsylvania and New Jersey : in these States exist extensive marshes, 
called Maple swamps, exclusively covered with it, where it is found 70 
feet high and 3 or 4 feet in diameter. 
The Red-flowering Maple is the earliest tree whose bloom announces 
the return of spring; it is in flower near New York from the 10th to the 
15th of April. The blossoms, of a beautifully deep red, unfold more than 
a fortnight before the leaves. They are sessile, aggregate, and situated 
at the extremity of the branches. The fruit is suspended by long flexi- 
ble peduncles and is of the same hue with the flowers, though it varies in 
size and in the intensity of its coloring, according to the exposure and 
dampness of the soil. The leaves are smaller than those of the preceding 
species, but in some respects they resemble them. They are glaucous or 
whitish underneath, and are palmated or divided into 3 or 4 acuminate 
lobes, irregularly toothed. The extremities of this tree, which are formed 
by numerous twigs united at the base, have a remarkable appearance when 
garnished with flowers and seeds of a deep red, before vegetation has 
begun generally to revive. 
Before the Red-flowering Maple exceeds 25 or 30 feet in height and 7 
or 8 inches in diameter, its bark is perfectly smooth, and marked with 
white blotches, by which it is easily distinguishable. Afterwards, the 
trunk, like that of the White Oak and Sweetgum, becomes brown and chap- 
ped. In this tree, as in others which grow in wet places, the sap bears a 
large proportion to the heart, if indeed the name of heart can properly be 
given to the irregular star which occupies the centre of large trunks, with 
points from 1 to 3 inches in length projecting into the sap. 
The wood of the Red-flowering Maple is applicable to interesting 
uses. It is harder than that of the White Maple, and of a finer and closer 
grain : hence it is easily wrought in the lathe, and acquires by polishing a 
glossy and silken surface. It is sufficiently solid, and for many purposes 
it is preferred by workmen to other kinds of wood. It is principally employ- 
ed for the lower part of Windsor chairs : the pieces are turned in the coun- 
try, and so considerable is the demand, that boats laden with them arrive 
at New York and Philadelphia, where an extensive manufacture is carried 
on, for the consumption of the neighboring towns, and for exportation to 
the Southern States and to the West India Islands. The whole frame of 
japanned chairs is of this wood, except the back, for which Hickory is cho- 
sen on account of its superior strength and elasticity. The frame, the 
nave, and the spokes of spinning wheels are made of it: at Philadelphia 
it is exclusively employed for saddletrees, and in the country it is preferred 
for yokes, and also for shovels and wooden dishes, which are brought to 
market, and purchased by the dealers in wooden ware. 
It sometimes happens that, in very old trees, the grain, instead of fol- 
