. ,next to the sycamore,(Platanus occidentalis,) attains the amplestdimensions; while the perfect straightness anduniform diameter of the trunk, the more regulardistribution of its branches, and the greaterrichness of its foliage and flowers, give it a de-cided superiority over that tree, and entitle it tobe considered one of the most magnificent pro-ductions of the temperate zones. It usually at-tains a height of sixty or eighty feet, with adiameter varying from eighteen inches to threefeet; although, in favourable localities, it h
. ,next to the sycamore,(Platanus occidentalis,) attains the amplestdimensions; while the perfect straightness anduniform diameter of the trunk, the more regulardistribution of its branches, and the greaterrichness of its foliage and flowers, give it a de-cided superiority over that tree, and entitle it tobe considered one of the most magnificent pro-ductions of the temperate zones. It usually at-tains a height of sixty or eighty feet, with adiameter varying from eighteen inches to threefeet; although, in favourable localities, it hasbeen known to arrive at a height of one hun-dred and twenty to one hundred and forty feet,with a diameter of more than seven feet. Thebark of the trunk, till it exceeds seven or eight inches in diameter, is smooth andeven; but afterwards it begins to crack, and the depth of the furrows is in pro-portion to the size and age of the tree. In the development of its leaves it differsfrom most other trees. The leaf-buds, in general, are composed of scales closely. TULIP-BEARING LIRIODENDRON. 25 imbricated, which in spring are distended by the growth of the minute bundle ofleaves that they enclose, till they finally fall off. The terminal bud of eachshoot swells considerably before it gives birth to the leaf. It forms an oval en-velope, containing the young leaf, which is produced to the light as soon as ithas acquired sufficient strength to endure the influences of the this envelope is found another, which, after the first leaf is put forth,swells, bursts, and gives birth to a second. On young and vigorous trees, five orsix leaves issue, successively, in this manner, from one bud. Till the leaf hasacquired its growth, it retains the two scales which composed the envelope, andwhich are now called stipules. In spring, when the weather is warm andhumid, the growth of the leaves is very rapid. They are six or eight inchesbroad, borne on long petioles, alternate, somew
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Keywords: ., bookauthorbrownedj, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1850, bookyear1851
