virginianum fòre majòre. Miller, in 1741, says, the Virginian flowering maple (4. rubrum) was raised from seeds, which were brought from Virginia many years since, by Mr. John Tradescant, in his garden at South Lambeth, near Vauxhall; and, since, in the garden of the Bishop of London at Fulham, where it has flowered for several years, and produced ripe seeds, from which several plants have been raised. Upon a survey of the state of the garden at Fulham, in October 1793, the Acer rubrum planted by Bishop Compton, at 3 ft. from the ground, measured, in girt, 4 ft. 3 in., and its computed height was 40 ft. On visiting the same gardens again in 1809, the tree was gone. (Lyson's Env. London, 1810, 2d edit. vol. ii. p. 228.) Miller, in 1755, speaking of A. eriocarpum, says, this the gardeners distinguish by the title of Sir Charles Wager's maple; the other being called the scarlet-flowering maple; but, as there is no difference in [the form of] their flowers, seeds, or leaves, so they must be deemed but one species, as they are only accidental varieties arising from seed. In continuation, he says, speaking of the scarlet variety, that it flowers about the middle of April, and that Sir Charles Wager's maple flowers about the middle or latter end of March. In Martyn's Miller, published in 1807, the two are still considered as the same species. We have no doubt of their being in fact only varieties, or races, of the same species; but we have kept them distinct, as they are remarkably different, both in the colour of their flowers, and in their habit of growth, though not much so in their leaves. Michaux was the first to distinguish the two kinds as species, and the distinction (as before observed, p. 424.) was first pointed out in detail by Desfontaines. As A. rùbrum is not a rapidly growing tree, like A. eriocárpum, it has not been so extensively cultivated as that species; nevertheless, it is to be found in most collections, and it is propagated in the principal European nurseries. Properties and Uses. In America, the wood of the red-flowering maple is applicable to several 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 solid, and, for many purposes, it is preferred by workmen to other kinds of wood. It is principally employed for the seats of Windsor chairs: the pieces are prepared in the country; and so considerable is the demand, that boats laden with them frequently arrive at New York and Philadelphia, where an extensive manufactory is carried on for the consumption of the neighbouring towns, and for exportation to the southern states and to the West India Islands. The whole frame of japanned chairs is made of this wood, except the back, for which hickory (Carya) is chosen, on account of its superior strength and elasticity. The frame, the nave, and the spokes of spinning-wheels are made of the red maple. At Philadelphia, it is exclusively used for saddle-trees; and, in the country, it is preferred for yokes, shovels, and wooden dishes, which are brought to market by the country people, and purchased by the dealers in wooden ware. It sometimes happens that, in very old trees, the grain, instead of following a perpendicular direction, is undulated; and this variety bears the name of the curled maple. This singular arrangement is never found in young trees, nor in the branches of even such as exhibit it in the trunk: it is also less conspicuous in the centre than near the circumference. Trees having this character of wood are rare, and do not exist in the proportion of one to a hundred. The serpentine direction of the fibre, which renders them difficult to split and to work, produces, in the hands of a skilful mechanic, the most beautiful effects of light and shade. These effects are rendered more striking, if, after smoothing the surface of the wood with a double-ironed plane, it is rubbed with a little sulphuric acid, and afterwards anointed with linseed oil. On examining it attentively, the varying shades are found to be owing entirely to the inflection of the rays of light; which is more sensibly perceived in viewing it in different directions by candlelight. Before mahogany became generally fashionable in the United States, the best furniture in use was made of the red-flowering maple, and bedsteads are still made of it, which, in richness and lustre, exceed the finest mahogany. At Boston, some cabinet-makers saw it into thin plates for inlaying mahogany; but the most constant use of the curled maple is for the stocks of fowlingpieces and rifles, which to elegance and lightness unite toughness and strength, the result of the twisted direction of the fibres. The cellular matter of the inner bark is of a dusky red. By boiling, it yields a purplish colour, which, on the addition of sulphate of iron, becomes dark blue approaching to black. It is used in the country, with a certain portion of alum in solution, for dyeing black. The wood of the red-flowering maple does not burn well, and is so little esteemed for fuel, that it is rarely brought for that purpose into the cities. It has but little strength, is liable to injury from insects, and ferments and speedily decays when exposed to the alternations of dryness and moisture. For these reasons, though it is now extensively used in America, its importance in the arts is not sufficient to entitle it to preservation; and Michaux supposes that, when artificial plantations become necessary in that country, the red maple will be altogether omitted. The French Canadians make sugar from the sap of this maple, which they call plaine; but, as in the preceding species, the product of a given measure is only half as great as that obtained from the sugar maple. (Michaux.) In Britain, and throughout Europe, the sole use of the red-flowering maple is as an ornamental tree; and, whether we regard the beauty of its flowers and opening leaves in early spring; of its red fruits in the beginning of summer, or its red foliage in autumn, it deserves to be considered one of the most ornamental of hardy trees. Unfortunately, in British nurseries, it is generally raised by layers; whereas, if it were grafted on A. eriocarpum, or raised from seed, as it is said to be on the Continent (for, whether it be considered as a race or a species, it will reproduce itself), the plants would be of much more vigorous growth. Soil, Situation, Propagation, &c. Contrary to the general character of the maples, this species is said to thrive best in moist soil, which must, however, at the same time, be rich; and, for the tree to attain a large size, the situation ought to be sheltered. In Britain, it is chiefly propagated by layers; but, on the Continent, almost always by seeds, which ripen before midsummer, even sooner than those of A. eriocárpum, and, if sown immediately, come up the same season. The seeds, even when mixed with soil, do not keep well; and, in general, but a small proportion of those sent home from America vegetate in Europe. Statistics. In the neighbourhood of London, the largest tree is at Kew, which, in 45 years, has attained the height of 40 ft.: one at Purser's Cross is 35 ft. high; and at Kenwood, in 38 years, the tree has attained the height of 34 ft. In Berkshire, at White Knights, 30 years planted, it is 18 ft. high; in Hertfordshire, at Cheshunt, 8 years planted, it is 22 ft. high; in Staffordshire, at Trentham, it is 50 ft. high; in Surrey, on an eminence in the arboretum at Milford, there is a tree 40 ft. high, which, in autumn, when the leaves have assumed their dark red colour, Jooks like a column of scar. let, and is seen from a great distance all round the country. In Surrey, at Farnham Castle, a tree, 45 years planted, is 50 ft. high. In Scotland, in the Glasgow Botanic Garden, there is a tree, 16 years planted, and 20 ft. high; and in the Perth Nursery, one, 14 years planted, which is also 20 ft. high. In Ireland, in Down, at Ballyleady, 60 years planted, it is 28 ft. high; in Kilkenny, at Woodstock, 60 years planted, and 50 ft. high; in Louth, at Oriel Temple, 40 years planted, and 44 ft. high. In France, in the Botanic Garden at Toulon, 45 years planted and 29 ft. high. In Saxony, at Wörlitz, 65 years planted, and 55 ft. high. In Austría, at Laxenburg, 30 years planted, and 25 ft. high. At Brück on the Leytha, 35 years planted, and 32 ft. high. In Prussia, at Sans Souci, 40 years planted, and 38 ft. high. In Bavaria, at Munich, 24 years planted, and 40 ft. high. Commercial Statistics. Plants, in London, cost from 1s. to 1s. 6d. each, and seeds 4s. a quart; at Bollwyller, plants are 1 franc 50 cents each; at New York, plants are 15 cents each, and seeds 2 dollars 25 cents a pound. 17. A. MONSPESSULA NUM L. The Montpelier Maple. Identification. Lin. Spec., 1497.; Hayne Dend., p. 210.; Dec. Prod., 1. p. 595.; Don's Mill., I. p. 649. Synonymes. A. trilobum Moench.; A. trifolium Duh.; A. trilobàtum Lam.; E'rable de Montpelier, Fr. Französischer Ahorn, Ger. Engravings. Pluk. Alm., t. 251. f. 3.; Tratt. Arch., 1. No. 20.; Duh. Arb., 1. t. 10. f. 8.; Schmidt Arb., 1. t. 14.; and Krause, t. 101.; our fig. 131. in p. 458.; and the plate of this species in our Second Volume. Spec. Char., &c. Leaves cordate, 3-lobed; lobes almost entire, and equal. Corymbs few-flowered, pendulous. Fruit smooth, with the wings hardly diverging. A low tree or shrub, found in the south of Europe, and introduced in 1739; flowering in May. Description, &c. In its native countries, (the south of France and Italy,) this tree attains the height of 30 ft. or 40 ft.; though, in rocky exposed situations, it often forms only a large bush. The trunk is covered with a reddish brown bark. The leaves are chiefly 3-lobed, with an entire margin: they are dark green, and bear a general resemblance to those of A. campestre, which are about the same size, but of a paler green, and 5-lobed. The leaves, in mild seasons, remain on during great part of the winter, more especially in France. The flowers are produced just before the leaves: they are pendulous, on peduncles 1 in. or more long, disposed in dichotomous panicles, or corymbs, one from almost every bud, and consist of from 6 to 10 flowers. The flowers are of a pale yellow colour, and form a great source of attraction to bees. The tree of this species in the London Horticultural Society's Garden has the branches rather ascending, so as to form somewhat a fasciculate head; but in old trees, the head is roundish and spreading. Geography, History, &c. The tree abounds, in a wild state, in the south of France, and also in Spain and Italy, chiefly on rocky exposed situations. It is also much planted in the south of France as hedges, on account of the persistency of the leaves, which remain on during a great part of winter. The tree was introduced into England in 1739, and is to be met with in most botanic gardens. The wood, which is hard and heavy, is used in France by turners and cabinet-makers; but, in England, the tree may be considered as purely one of ornament; and, as such, it well deserves a place in every collection. It is easily propagated by seeds or by layers. Statistics. The largest tree in the neighbourhood of London is at Kenwood, where, in 35 years, it has attained the height of 47 ft.; there are two very handsome trees at Ham House, each nearly 30 ft. high: at Kew, 30 years planted, it is 29 ft. high; in the Oxford Botanic Garden, 40 years planted, it is 25 ft. high; in Worcestershire, at Croome, 30 years planted, 25 ft. high; in Staffordshire, at Trentham, 26 years planted, 27 ft. high. In Scotland, in the Perth Nursery, 14 years planted, and 14 ft. high. In France, in the Jardin des Plantes, 130 years planted, and 55 ft. high. In Saxony, at Wörlitz, 45 years planted, 30 ft. high; in Austria, at Vienna, in the garden of the University, 40 years planted, and 36 ft. high; and at Laxenburg, 35 years planted, and 30 ft. high. In Prussia, in the Berlin Botanic Garden, 18 ft. high. In Bavaria, in the Botanic Garden at Munich, 24 years planted, and 20 ft, high. Commercial Statistics. Plants, in the London nurseries, are Is. 6d. each; at Bollwyller, 1 franc 50 cents; at New York, ?. 18. A. CAMPE'STRE L. The common, or Field, Maple. Identification. Lin. Spec., 1497.; Hayne, Dend., p. 211.; Dec. Prod., 1. p. 595.; Don's Mill, 1. p. 649. Synonymes. E'rable champêtre, Fr.; kleiner Ahorn, Feld Ahorn, Ger. Engravings. Engl. Bot., t. 304.; Fel. Dan., t. 1288; Reitter and Abel, Abbild, t. 25.; Willd. Spec. Char., &c. Leaves cordate, with 5-toothed lobes. Racemes erect. * A. c. 1 hebecárpum Dec. Prod., i. p. 594. The downy-fruited Field The hill-inha A. c. 4 austriacum Tratt. Arch., i. No. 6. The Austrian Field Maple.— Fruit smooth. Lobes of leaves somewhat acuminated. Flowers larger than those of the species. Native of Austria, Podolia, and Tauria. (Don's Mill., i. p. 649.) This variety is larger in all its parts than the original specics, and is of much freer growth; the main stem rises erect and straight, and sends out its branches regularly on CHAP. XXII. ACERA CEE. ACER. every side, so as to form a sort of cone, almost like a fir, as exhibited in the plate of this variety, in our Second Volume. A very handsome tree, from which our drawing was taken, exists in the garden of the London Horticultural Society, and, not far from it, a roundheaded shrubby tree of the original species. A subvariety of this sort, with variegated leaves, is propagated in the Bollwyller Nursery. A rather small tree, Description. A. c. hebecarpum is the British form of this species; and it is thus characterised by Smith in his Eng. Flora, ii. p. 231. with spreading branches; the bark corky, and full of fissures; that of the branches smooth. Leaves about 1 in. wide, downy while young, as are their footstalks, obtusely 5-lobed, here and there notched, sometimes quite entire. Flowers green, in clusters that terminate the young shoots, hairy, erect, short, and somewhat corymbose. Anthers hairy between the lobes. downy, spreading horizontally, with smooth, oblong, reddish wings. The character of the flowers, in being produced upon the young shoots, ascribed to the British field maple by Smith, is one which it possesses, and one in which it differs markedly from certain exotic kinds; as A. eriocárpum, A. rùbrum, and A. monspessulanum; the flowers of which species are produced from buds distinct from those out of which the shoots are developed. In Britain, it seldom attains the height of more than 20 ft., except in a state of cultivation. Capsules Geography. This species is found throughout the middle states of Europe, and in the north of Asia. According to Pallas, it is found in New Russia, and about Caucasus. In Britain, it is common in hedges and thickets, in the middle and south of England; but is rare in the northern counties and in Scotland. It is not a native of Ireland, and, perhaps, not of Scotland. The Properties and Uses. The wood weighs 61 lb. 9 oz. a cubic foot, in a green state, and 51 lb. 15 oz. when perfectly dry. It makes excellent fuel, and the very best charcoal. It is compact, of a fine grain, sometimes beautifully veined, and takes a high polish. It was celebrated among the ancient Romans for tables. In France, it is much sought after by turners, cabinet-makers, and the manufacturers of domestic utensils. The wood of the roots is frequently knotted; and, when that is the case, it is used for the manufacture of snuffboxes, pipes, and other fanciful productions. The young shoots, being tough and flexible, are employed by the coachmen, in some parts of France, instead of whips. The tree is much used in France for forming hedges, and for filling up gaps in old fences. It is also employed in topiary works, in geometrical gardens, being found to bear the shears better than most other trees. leaves and young shoots are gathered green, and dried for winter provender for cattle. The sap yields more sugar, in proportion to the quantity taken, than that of the sycamore; but the tree does not bleed freely. In Britain, the tree is seldom planted for any other purpose than that of ornament, in which it is effective by adding to the variety of a collection, rather than to its positive beauty. The variegated variety is showy, and, if a mule could be procured with red flowers, by cross-fecundation with A. rùbrum, we should then have a Even a red tinge added to the autumnal singularly handsome little tree. foliage would be valuable. For the purpose of cross-fecundation, a plant of A. campestre would require to be forced forward in a green-house, or a plant of A. rubrum retarded in an ice-house, as the two species flower at different periods. Soil, Situation, &c. A dry soil suits this species best, and an open situation; but, to attain a timber-like size, it requires a deep free soil, and a situation So circumstanced, it attains the height of 30 ft. or sheltered by other trees. 40 ft., both in France and England, as may be seen in Eastwell Park, in Kent, and at Caversham Park, near Reading. In the nurseries, plants of this species are raised from seeds, most of which often remain eighteen months in the ground before they come up, though a few come up the first spring. The varieties are propagated by layers. Casualties. The mistletoe is sometimes found growing on this species. Statistics. In the environs of London, at Kew, A. campestre, 50 years planted, is 26 ft. high; in Dorsetshire, at Melbury Park, 100 years planted, and 38 ft. high, the trunk 2 ft. 9 in. in diameter, and the head 37 ft. in diameter, growing in stony clay; in Essex, at Braystock, 80 years planted, and 50 ft. high; in Surrey, at Farnham Castle, 50 years planted, 30 ft. high; in Suffolk, at Finbo borough Hall, 70 years planted, and 40 ft. high. In Denbighshire, at Llanbede, 20 years planted, 34 ft. high. In Scotland, near Edinburgh, at Hopeton House, 46 ft. high; in Argyllshire, at Hafton, 36 years planted, and 36 ft. high; in Clackmannanshire, in the garden of the Dollar Institution, 12 years planted, and 20 ft. high; in Forfarshire, at Airlie Castle, 10 years planted, and 14 ft. high; in Stirling. shire, at Blairlogie, 302 years old, and 55 ft. high, the diameter of the trunk 4 ft, and of the head 45 ft., the soil, a light loam on dry gravel, and the situation exposed. In France, in the Botanic Garden at Toulon, 48 years planted, and 45 ft. high. In Saxony, at Wörlitz, 65 years planted, and 40 ft. high; in Austria, in the University Botanic Garden at Vienna, 20 years planted, and 25 ft. high; at Laxenburg, 60 years planted, and 45 ft. high; at Kopenzel, 45 years planted, and 50 ft. high; at Hädersdorf, 40 years planted, and 21 ft. high. In Prussia, at Sans Souci, 40 years planted, and $5 ft. high. In Bavaria, at Munich, 24 years planted, and 20 ft. high. Commercial Statistics. Plants, in London, seedlings 10s. a 1000, of a larger size 20s. a 1000; the variegated-leaved variety 2s. 6d. a plant. At Bollwyller, the broad-leaved variegated subvariety, 1 franc 50 cents a plant; at New York, ?. 19. A. CRE TICUM L. The Cretan Maple. Identification. Lin. Spec., 1497.; Dec. Prod., 1. p. 594.; Don's Mill, 1. p. 649. Synonymes. A. heterophyllum Willd. En.; 4. sempervirens L. Mant.; Erable de Crète, Fr.; Cretischer Ahorn, Ger. Engravings. Tratt. Arch., 1. No. 19.; Duh. Arb., 1. p. 28. t. 10. f. 9.; Alp. Exot., 9. t. 8.; Pocock Orient., 197. t. 85.; Schmidt Arb., t. 15.; Krause, t. 120.; our fig. 132. in p. 459.; and the plate of this species in our Second Volume. Spec. Char., &c. Leaves permanent, cuneated at the base, acutely 3-lobed at the top. Lobes entire, or toothleted; lateral ones shortest. Corymbs fewflowered, erect. Fruit smooth, with the wings hardly diverging. (Don's Mill., i. p. 649.) A diminutive slow-growing sub-evergreen tree; native of Candia, and of other islands in the Grecian Archipelago. Introduced in 1752. Description, &c. This species is seldom seen in British collections, and then more frequently as a shrub than as a tree; but it is readily known from all the others, and from A. monspessulanum, to which it makes the nearest approach, by its being nearly evergreen; and by the great variety of the forms of its leaves; and, according to the specific character, by the flowers being erect; those of A. monspessulanum being pendulous. In young plants, the leaves are seldom much lobed; and this, we suppose, has given rise to the species or variety known in gardens as A. heterophyllum, which appears to be only A. créticum in a young state. We are only aware of three plants of this species which have assumed the character of trees in the neighbourhood of London; viz. that at Syon, figured in our Second Volume, which is 28 ft. high, flowers freely, and produces seeds almost every year; one in the Chelsea Botanic Garden, about 8 ft. high, which has stood there since the time of Miller; and a third, of equal age, which was in the Mile End Nursery, and which, in 1834, was 10 ft. high. This last tree has since been sold, and removed to the garden of the Rev. T. Williams, at Hendon, Middlesex. This species is generally propagated by layers; though it might, probably, be grafted on the Montpelier maple. Where a miniature arboretum is formed in a small garden, this species may be considered valuable, as exemplifying the order Aceràceæ, in a space not larger than what would be required for a herbaceous plant. Statistics. The only specimens worth recording in Britain are those already referred to at Syon, Chelsea, and Hendon. The plants in the London Horticultural Society's Garden, and at Messrs. Loddiges's, are not above a foot and a half high. In France, in the Jardin des Plantes, a tree 130 years planted is 31 ft. high. In Saxony, at Wörlitz, one 55 years planted is 10 ft. high. Commercial Statistics. Plants, in the London nurseries, cost 5s. each; at Bollwyller, where it is considered as synonymous with A. heterophyllum, 2 francs each; at New York, ?. App. i. Doubtful Species of Acer. We have not been able to satisfy ourselves respecting the distinctness of 4. O'palus and A. opulifolium; and we are very much inclined to think that the sort which we have figured as A. barbàtum is a European species, and, consequently, not the A. barbàtum of Michaux. To us, it appears that the 4. |