FLORA OF THE MOUNTAIN. 233 



cate membrane that floats like a cobweb in the air ; again, 

 as in the chestnut, hanging sullenly as if wilted ; or, again, 

 as in the oak and maple family, obtruding their more angu- 

 lar leaflets, which stick out rigidly from the terminal twigs. 

 Each tree has a form or physiognomy for its new-born leaf, 

 also for the perfect organ or full-grown leaf, and these dif- 

 ferent aspects show trees as entirely unlike each other, in the 

 different stages of unfolding, as the callow bird in the nest 

 is unlike the full-plumed and perfect adult. Even the grave 

 evergreens assume a new countenance in the spring from the 

 protrusion of their annual growth of twigs which are covered 

 with exceedingly delicate light-green leaves, giving to the 

 tree, at this time, a gay and cheerful look. This fresh 

 livery of the vernal forests forever inspires with joy and 

 hopefulness ; for it is the time when the world and the soul 

 are full of promise. With electrical enchantment the spirit 

 of the woods reaches the spirit of the man, and he expands 

 and vibrates with the budding and unfolding leaf, "for man 

 is one world, and hath another to attend him." 



The vernal sounds of the woods are also striking and cha- 

 racteristic, appropriate and fit, as are all the harmonies of the 

 wild. The soft, young leaf has not yet arrived at firmness 

 enough to rustle or creak, and the boiling, simmering, far- 

 off storm and ocean-sound is not distinctly heard at this 

 season. A soft, muffled whisper, a wavy, stifled murmur, is 

 all that the wind can make, the delicate, drooping leaflet 

 having no vibratory consistency, and consequently the ac- 

 cumulated sound is a simple, monotonous breathing of the 

 air through the moist, sappy lungs of the forest. 



As the foliage is perfected, and the summer change 

 comes on, the whole leaf-garment assumes an entirely 

 different expression. The monotonous dark-green of the 

 fully-developed summer-dress of the trees gives the wood, 

 with its different plants, a more uniform aspect. In full 

 array the forest is certainly richer and grander in this display 

 of the life-powers, but it lacks the variety of the vernal tints. 

 The color of all the leaves gradually darkens in hue as 



20* 



