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form to the height of forty feet and upwards from the ground. Leaves five-pointed, divided into so 
many deep sections, (or sometimes seven) and set on long slender petioles. In February before the 
leaves are formed, the blossoms begin to break forth from the tops of the branches into spikes of 
yellowish-red, pappose, globular flowers, which swell gradually, retaining their round form, to the 
full maturity of their seed-vessels, which are thick set with pointed hollow protuberances, and split¬ 
ting open discharge their seeds. Each cell contains a seed, winged at one end with many small 
grains distinct from the seed* These, which Linnaeus calls chaffy corpuscules, according to Gert- 
ner, are immature germs. There are two capsules in each cell of the ament; they are grooved, 
shining, and of a bay ferruginous colour. Common receptacle globular, honey-combed, with the 
female bell-shaped calyxes united, proper none, besides the inner walls of the capsules, to which 
the germs are fixed all round. Seeds as many as sixteen in a capsule, oblong elliptic, compressed 
like a lens.-j- 
The leaves are shaped somewhat like those of the lesser Maple, but are of a dark green colour, 
with their upper surfaces shining. A sweet glutinous substance exsudes through their pores in warm 
weather, which renders them clammy to the touch. 
The leaves of this species are distinguished from those of the second by the little tufts of hairs 
placed where the veins divide from the midrib. 
The wood of this tree is good timber, and is used in wainscotting, &c. The grain is fine, and 
some of it beautifully variegated; but when wrought too green is apt to shrink, to prevent which 
no les than eight or ten years is sufficient to season the planks. From between the wood and the 
bark issues a fragrant gum, which trickles from the wounded trees, and by the heat of the sun con¬ 
geals into transparent drops, which the Indians chew, as a preservative to their teeth. It smells so 
like Balsam of Tolu, that it is not easy to distinguish them. The Bark is also of singular use to the 
Indians for covering their huts.J 
Native of North America, in low clayey ground. Cultivated in the garden of Compton, Bishop 
of London, in 1688, by his gardener George London. It was sent over from Virginia by Banister.§ 
Species 2. Oriental Liquidamber. (Liquidambar Xmberbe.) 
The leaves of this have their lobes shorter, and much more sinuated on their borders, they end 
in blunt points, and are not serrated. They have also none of those tufts of hair which are found 
on the leaves of the first sort. Its native country is unknown. According to Mr. Miller, the seeds 
were sent to Mr. Peyssonel from the Levant, to the King of France's garden at Marli. Mons. 
Richard, the King’s gardener, sent some of them to Mr. Miller, who cultivated this tree in 1759.|| 
CULTURE. 
The Sweet-Gum tree is hardy enough to endure the severest cold of this country in the open 
air. It is commonly propagated by layers; but when raised from seeds, it grows to be a much 
finer tree. 
The seeds of this tree, if sown in the spring, commonly remain in the ground a whole year 
before the plants come up; so that the surest way to raise them is, to sow the seeds in boxes or 
pots of light earth; which may be placed in a shady situation during the first summer, and in 
* Catesby. 
p Gsertner. 
§ Ray Hist. 1681. 
$ Catesby, 
|| Horl. Kew. 
