MAPLE. 263 



the back of the leaf be closely examined it will be 

 seen that the larger of the two sets of veinlets 

 are embossed upon the surface, their course 

 being distinctly traceable from principal vein to 

 principal vein. They form, in fact, irregularly- 

 shaped figures and enclose spaces that are 

 traversed by the still finer set of veinlets forming 

 the still finer network already mentioned, the 

 configuration of which cannot be readily seen 

 without the aid of a magnifying-glass. 



When seen in the summer hedgebanks the 

 Maple is often tinged with pink or light red upon 

 its stems and upon the under sides, and sometimes 

 upon the upper sides of its smooth-looking, glossy 

 leaves. The advance of Autumn is shown some- 

 times by a suffusing hue of pink, sometimes by 

 deep red, and sometimes by a deep golden glow. 

 But, whatever the colour, the whole of a hedge- 

 bank will often be found dyed with it. 



So much for general displays : and no shrub 

 can better produce a striking effect when seen in 

 the mass. But it is only upon a close examina- 

 tion that the charm of the Maple hedge can be 

 fully appreciated ; for the variety of tinting is 



Q 2 



