5S THE LEAF. PARTI. 



extraordinary dimensions, have supposed them to 

 be the leaves of which Adam and Eve are said to 

 have made themselves aprons when they first felt 

 the want of clothing ; and to be the same with 

 those denominated fig-leaves in the history of that 

 transaction as related by Moses. The leaves of 

 some of the Palms, in their compound dimensions, 

 are frequently to be met with of the extent of from 

 ten to fifteen feet in length ; the length of the largest 

 of the individual leaflets being three feet. 



The leaves, from their size or number, are 

 naturally well calculated to form an agreeable and 

 cooling shade, amidst the sultry heats of the tropi- 

 cal regions ; where, as the shelter of some shade is 

 most wanted, so the leaves of trees are found to be 

 the largest, and are used in a variety of ways to 

 screen the inhabitants from the rays of a vertical 

 sun. And even in countries that are not within the 

 tropics, the shade afforded by the leaves of trees is 

 still extremely desirable during the heats of sum- 

 mer. Hence the celebrated groves of Academus 

 where Plato and his successors delivered their lec- 

 tures in philosophy ; and the cool and shady avenues 

 of Chesnut or Lime-trees, even in our own country, 

 which are not yet entirely banished by the altered 

 manners of modern times. 



Odour. The odour of the leaf is oftentimes extremely 

 grateful, particularly when bruised with the hand, as 

 the leaf of Myrtus Pimento, or Jamaica Pepper will 

 readily show. Some leaves will retain their aroma- 



