140 THE MAPLE AND THE SYCAMORE. 



which is marked, as in England, by the assump- 

 tion of rich colours by the trees, but Spring; 

 that which in our northern latitudes accompanies 

 decline and decay, being there associated with the 

 energy of youth and growth. We may readily un- 

 derstand this from contemplating, not alone the 

 lively tints of the trees in question, but the brilliant 

 tints of the young leaves of many Indian plants 

 cultivated in our conservatories : the Dracaenas, for 

 example, which begin life in the most vivid and 

 luxurious crimson. Another interesting fact is the 

 peculiarly rapid expansion of the leaves, at all 

 events in the sycamore. This comes of their being 

 folded up, while in the bud, after the manner of 

 a lady's fan when closed; and similarly, therefore, 

 to those of the " lady's mantle/' that pretty little 

 occupant of our meadows and pastures, which holds 

 dew in the plaits and angles. A few hours will 

 often suffice to cover a sycamore-tree with an ap- 

 parently miraculous outburst of foliage ; buds in 

 the early morning, in the evening a green ves- 

 ture in every portion. The horse-chestnut, which 

 has the leaves plaited while young, in a manner very 

 similar, is the only tree of common occurrence 

 which so soon changes winter into spring. There 

 is also the curious ornamenting of the leaves 

 of the maple with little red pimples, which gives 

 them often a very pretty appearance. Turn the 

 leaf upside down, and you will discover that every 



