THE LIME. 95 



than in most other trees, and to this is no doubt 

 owing much of that ease and lightness of aspect 

 which places the lime among the feminine trees. 

 The leaves are smooth also, and glabrous or nearly 

 so, except in the grandifolia, but in the angles 

 of the veins, upon the under-surface, may be ob- 

 served little tufts of light-brown velvet. Spring is 



LEAF AND FLOWERS OF LIME-TREE. 



not long without them, though they are by no 

 means among the earliest, and, like several others 

 which delay their advent, they are uncareful to re- 

 main to the end. The end, in truth, they never see, 

 for, though exceptional individuals may retain their 

 foliage till November, as a rule, the lime leads the 

 way in surrender to cold ; the track of the yellow- 

 sandalled autumn is found first amid its boughs. 



" Those virgin leaves, of purest vivid green, 

 Which charm'd ere yet they trembled on the trees, 

 Now cheer the sober landscape in decay, 

 The lime first fading" 



