50 



THE LIME. 



The Leaves of the linden form one of its prime characteristics. 

 They are simple and undivided, in general outline roundish, but with 

 the extremity long drawn-out, and at the base remarkably unsymmetrical. 

 While in the elm (the leaf of which is also remarkable for its want of 

 symmetry at the base), the two halves spring from different points, here, 

 on the contrary, in the lime, they spring from the same point, but one 

 of them is much larger than the other, and a curve is produced back- 

 wards, or in the direction of the petiole. Hence we get in the lime-tree 

 the first example of that most elegant configuration which culminates in 

 the leaves of the Begonias, and in the leaflets of the exquisite plants 

 called Epimedium : so constantly does nature always announce before- 

 hand that which by-and-bye she intends to show forth illustriously. 

 Everything below the highest form is a prelude and a proem ; the melody 

 tried first in a minor key. The stalks which sustain the leaves are 

 longer than in most other trees, and to this is no doubt owing much of 

 that ease and lightness of aspect which places the lime among the 

 feminine trees. The leaves are smooth also, and glabrous or nearly so, 



Leaf and Flowers of Lime-tree. 



except in the grandifolia, but in the angles of the veins, upon the under- 

 surface, may be observed curious little tufts of light-brown velvet. 

 Spring is not long without them, though they are by no means among 

 the earliest, and like several others which delay their advent, they are 

 ancareful to remain to the end. The end, in truth, they never see, for, 

 though exceptional individuals may retain their foliage till November, 

 as a rule, the lime leads the way in surrender to the cold ; the track 

 of the yellow-sandalled autumn is found first amid its boughs. 



Those virgin leaves, of purest vivid green, 



Which charm'd ere yet they trembled on the trees, 



Now cheer the sober landscape in decay, 



The lime first fading . 



