‘11b 
THE COMMON MAPLE. 
ACER CAM PEST RK. 
“ No tree in all the grove but has its charms, 
Though eacli its hue peculiar : 
Some glossy-leav’d and shining in the sun, 
The maple, and the beech of oily nuts 
Prolific.” 
Tiie common maple belongs to a genus containing 
many species, of which it seems to be the only undis¬ 
puted native. It rarely grows to any size, being held 
in very little esteem, so little, that Gilpin remarks, 
“ We seldom see it employed in any nobler service than 
in filling up its part in a hedge, in company with thorns 
and briars and other ditch trumpery.” 
But, though disregarded by the moderns, it can draw 
upon the past for fame; few trees having been in 
greater repute amongst the ancients. It is mentioned 
by many of the classical writers. Virgil represents 
./Eneas at the court of Evander as seated on a maple 
throne: — 
“ On sods of turf he set the soldiers round : 
A maple throne raised higher from the ground 
Received the Trojan chief.” 
