266 AUTUMNAL LEAVES. 



described as being somewhat broadly lance- 

 shaped, but drawn out to a point at the apex. 

 The margin is finely serrated, but the serratures 

 are inconspicuous. From a prominent mid-vein, 

 continuing the short leaf-stalk, alternate veins 

 branch towards the margin, which they do not 

 quite reach, merging near it into the irregular 

 network of veinlets that traverse the entire leafy 

 surface. 



The vivid green colour of the summer leaf 

 changes into brilliant hues of red or crimson and 

 yellow, which are spread in almost endless varia- 

 tion upon the tissue. Sometimes the top of a 

 leaf will glow with a golden tinge, whilst the 

 whole of its remaining portion will be deeply 

 dyed with crimson; or the lower part will be 

 golden, whilst the upper portion is crimson. A 

 crimson centre to a deep yellow margin is another 

 variation ; or yellow spots, or splashes, or bands, 

 will break the monotony of red or crimson on the 

 leafy tissue. Now and then a brilliantly crimson 

 leaf will hang on a twig side by side with one of 

 spotless yellow; or a leaf may be mottled, or 

 splashed, or spotted, with a trio of colours 



