244 AUTUMNAL LEAVES. 



turn, covered by a minute network of still smaller 

 veins. 



The Sycamore leaf does not present the variety 

 or possess the attraction of many other leaves for 

 the lover of Autumn. The change of colour is 

 generally indicated by the advance upon the tops 

 of the lobes of a very light brown or drab tint 

 sometimes merging into brown and occasionally 

 red enough though only occasionally to warrant 

 Cowper's designation of ( scarlet.' Set off against 

 the dark green hue of the summer leaf the effect 

 is often picturesque the tinting penetrating the 

 tissue, and although shown most prominently upon 

 the dark, upper surface of the leaf, also, though 

 less conspicuously, noticeable on its paler under- 

 side. As the discolouration advances it takes 

 possession of the spaces between the principal 

 veins, the lines of tissue however on either side 

 along the course of the principal veins remaining 

 green longer than any other portion of the surface 

 and forming an effective contrast with the decay- 

 ing brown. 



