WHEN THE LEAF IS WOO'D 



face differences, appreciable to the touch, 

 would involve another problem in cross 

 classification. Between the soft, velvety leaf 

 of the geranium and the rough surface of 

 the sunflower's leaf or that of the pumpkin, 

 nature knows how to ring her usual num- 

 ber of changes, which include leaves soft 

 as the finest silk or satin known to com- 

 merce, as well as those which match its rough 

 homespun. Whatever one's wildest fancy 

 might call for, from the glossy silk of the 

 wax begonia leaf to the heavy reseda-tinted 

 velvet of the mullein, nature could fur- 

 nish for this exhibition. 



Nor do the charms of leaves end with their 

 grace of form and color. Other arts they 

 know and practice to captivate the ear. The 

 "frou-frou" of feminine garments, which 

 moved Herrick to write, 



"Then, then, methinks, how sweetly flows 

 The liquefaction of her clothes," 



finds its prototype in the leafy frou-frou of 

 the belles of woodland, while they dance the 

 Pan-written numbers played by Maestro 



153 



