72 TKEES IX WLNTEK. 



VII. 



TREES JN WINTER. 



IN Northern America we rejoice in a yearly 

 spectacle which exceeds in richness and variety 

 of color any other forest scene in the world. As 

 September advances, the Swamp Maples and Su- 

 machs clothe themselves in flaming red ; then the 

 Elms, Birches, Chestnuts, and, later, the Beeches, 

 imitate the sunshine ; lastly, the Oaks turn with 

 a variety of rich, deep hues, which are the most 

 beautiful and satisfying of all. The reason of 

 this brilliancy of coloring, so much more strik- 

 ing than the woods of Europe, is not understood, 

 although it is often attributed to the greater 

 dryness of the climate. 



It is a common mistake to suppose that the 

 coloring of autumn leaves is due to frost. In 

 mild seasons the trees are often completely turned 

 before the thermometer has once sunk below the 

 freezing-point. The first change of color is a sure 

 sign that the tree is preparing for the winter, and 



