DAYS OF AUTUMN 175 



In the beechwood the split covers of the 

 mast crushed under the feet, the leaves 

 were crisped and curled. No cunning of 

 sculptor in copper could fashion such as 

 these. The beech tree is indeed the 

 aristocrat of the forest, for it is superb at 

 the fall. No leaves possess such a rich 

 colour or have the appearance of majesty 

 and preserved form. The elm leaves are 

 drab and lifeless, the oak leaves blotched 

 and frayed ; from the horse chestnut the 

 big green splayed leaves are either withered 

 and rusted or drop when .eemingly full of 

 sap. The elderberry and the ash loosen 

 their sprays at the first singe of autumn's 

 fire. But gradually dyed a deep golden- 

 brown, and untouched by fungus or blight, 

 the leaves of the beech preserve their outline 

 and take on a silkiness and shining of surface. 

 Seen against the blue sky the veins and 

 arteries of each leaf are clear-cut and 

 distinct; no degeneration in the beech tree. 

 During the autumn the numerous summer 



