Vlll PREFACE. 



preserve the coloured gems of the autumnal 

 woods. 



Should this volume suggest to any of its readers 

 the collection and preservation of autumnal leaves 

 not merely as objects in themselves of great 

 beauty, but as reminiscences of pleasant autumn 

 rambles, it will, incidentally, it is hoped, serve a 

 pleasant, if a minor, purpose : and if such a 

 pastime should give to the reader half the pleasure 

 the Author has experienced in wandering by 

 autumn hedges and through autumn woods in 

 search of the materials out of which he has 

 wrought this volume, its perusal will, perhaps, 

 in more than one way, be fruitful of good 

 results. 



The modus operandi by which the outlines of 

 form, the characteristic venation and the tinting 

 of the leaves figured in the coloured plates which 

 ac'company the text of Part II., have been 

 reproduced is fully described in the introductory 

 chapter. The Author's best thanks are due to 

 the artists and lithographers Messrs Emrik and 

 Binger and to their London representative, Mr. 

 William Day, for the admirable manner in which 

 they have carried out his instructions. The 

 botanical artist employed upon the work is a 



