178 VOICES FROM THE WOODLANDS. 



One of nature's rarest indications is afforded by that same 

 tree, in his windy home : it seems as if he heard the stealing 

 by of frost, before even its magic power was seen in 

 gemming the rough weeds and lichen-dotted stones ; and 

 the intimation is no sooner heard than given. Unlike 

 the common elm, which retains his verdure to a late period, 

 and, when at length assuming a deep rich colour, con- 

 tributes to the splendour of autumnal scenery, the foliage 

 of the wych-elm fails suddenly, his leaves curl up, become 

 brown, and flutter from their spray. The traveller who 

 perhaps yesterday took shelter beneath his branches from 

 a sudden storm, sees only a denuded tree, leafless and 

 waving in the wind. 



A peculiar property, shared it may be by different forest- 

 trees, but most obvious in the wych-elm, is deserving of 

 brief mention, namely, that of attracting moisture; and 

 this not only when the tree is full of foliage, but even 

 during winter. The power which leaves possess of ab- 

 sorbing water from the atmosphere by one set of vessels, 



