SPEAY. 169 



buds are produced in this way, that a very regular 

 appearance is given to the ramification as a whole, 

 because that bushiness is produced which Gilpin 

 admired, the fillings up and jostlings of the twigs 

 one with another, that give so good an emblem 

 of ' busy life.' In the Willow, in what in respect 

 to other trees we regard as mid-Winter, we shall 

 notice that sign of life which is exhibited by the 

 flowering. Though a wintry manifestation, the 

 spectacle really indicates the ' Willow's ' spring ; 

 but, howsoever we regard it, the appearance is a 

 beautiful one. 



There is decided 'character,' it will be ad- 

 mitted, in the shoots of the Chestnut. The bark 

 is a rich, dark, glossy brown, prettily freckled with 

 white, suggestive of the handsome Hazel skin. 

 The buds are irregular, as is also the spray, and 

 those which terminate the shoots are very pro- 

 minent and large, as indeed is necessary, regard 

 being had to the ample size of the handsome leaf 

 which is folded up within this close and frost- 

 proof covering. The reader with some imagina- 

 tion, in looking at our illustration of Chestnut 

 spray, will perhaps fancy he sees some resemblance 



