20 WONDERS OF PLANT LIFE 



often of a reddish tint, a circumstance commonly 

 to be seen in the case of Sycamore and Maple 

 shoots. Crimson patches are also not infrequently 

 seen on the upper surfaces of Hazel leaves. As 

 well, the bud cases of many trees and shoots take 

 on a bright crimson shade in the early part of 

 the year. This is seen to great advantage in the 

 case of the Lime trees. It is believed that this 

 colouring is a protective measure, brought about 

 to prevent an undue loss of heat. It has indeed 

 been proved that the purple tinting on the under 

 side of the Water Lily leaf is due to the presence 

 of a curious pigment called anthocyanin, which has 

 the remarkable property of changing light into 

 heat. By this means the chilling influences of the 

 water are controverted. 



It is no hindrance to the enjoyment of the 

 spring day to consider the more immediate cause 

 of the bursting buds and expanding leaves to be 

 seen on every side. This is nothing less than the 

 resumption of the flow of sap a process which 

 has been almost entirely suspended during the 

 last four or five months. All through the winter, 

 growth on the part of the deciduous trees has 

 been at a standstill, and only sufficient of the 

 vitalising sap has been in circulation to keep the 

 specimen from dying altogether. It must never 



