AUTUMN WOODS. 245 



pleasure. In that case our senses would be intoxicated ; 

 now they are healthfully as well as agreeably stimulated. 

 Pure colors spread over so wide an extent of surface 

 would be too intense for perfect enjoyment. All the 

 dyes of autumn foliage are sobered by the admixture of 

 some earthy hue, something that prevents their rivalling 

 the tints of heaven. 



Green and yellow are often seen in their purity in the 

 leaves of trees ; crimson and scarlet are seldom pure, ex- 

 cept in some parts of the brightest leaves. Even their green 

 is not perfect, save in that stage of their development 

 that precedes their full expansion. After this period, as 

 the landscape-painter well knows, all verdure is tarnished 

 and rusty. Indeed, the colors of leaves will not bear 

 comparison with those of flowers, either in purity or 

 variety ; yet when viewed from a distance, and illumina- 

 ted by sunshine, they seem nearly pure. Eed leaves of 

 different shades in sunshine produce at a distance the 

 effect of crimson or scarlet, chocolate hues that of purple, 

 and browns that of orange. 



The hues of autumn are not very conspicuous before the 

 middle of September, and it is worthy of notice that the 

 brightest and purest colors are seen at the time when three 

 fourths of the trees still remain unchanged. As one after 

 another assumes its ruddy, golden and purple hues, the 

 earlier and more brilliant drop their leaves ; and some are 

 entirely denuded, while others are fully covered with 

 foliage and verdure. Even different individuals of the 

 same species, of maples especially, manifest a great dif- 

 erence of habit in this respect, caused in some cases by 

 the peculiarities of their situation. Trees in swamps 

 and low grounds lose their leaves earlier than the occu- 

 pants of a deep soil in the uplands. 



Some species are perfectly uniform in their colors. 

 The poplar and birch, for example, are invariably yellow ; 



