02 FAMILIAR TREES 



with the exception of the more northern parts. Its 

 fruit is unribbed and downy, and its leaves are rather 

 larger than those of T. cordata. The Large-leaved 

 Linden (T. platyphyllos Scop.) has downy twigs, five 

 prominent ribs upon its fruit, and leaves often more 

 than four inches across. Along with its variety, the 

 Coral Linden (T. ru'bra Stev.), which differs only in 

 having reddish-brown bark to the young branches 

 and smooth fruit, the Large-leaved Linden is only 

 wild in Europe south of Denmark. 



Though, owing to their retaining their leaves 

 later into the autumn, some American species are 

 recommended as preferable to the above for 

 avenues the great ornamental use of the Linden 

 it cannot be denied that our European forms have a 

 choice beauty of their own. In early spring the red- 

 tinted twigs, like branching coral, bear buds which 

 throw off scales, or " stipules," blushing pink and 

 white, only to reveal the first delicate gloss of the 

 tender leaf. The leaves then hang vertically down- 

 wards, and the older ones are so folded over the 

 younger as in every way to protect them as far as 

 possible from the nipping effects of excessive radiation 

 in our frosty May nights. It is said, moreover, to be 

 the mode of their arrangement in the buds that 

 produces, as it were mechanically, the graceful one- 

 sidedness in the outline of their base which is not un- 

 common amongst forest trees. The loaves are also 

 at this season more gracefully tapered at the apex 

 than later, when they increase in breadth ; and 

 the charm of their pendent position and bright 

 and graceful greenery naturally suggested cheerful- 



