THE HORSE CHESTNUT 



561 



COMPOUND LEAF OF THE HORSE CHESTNUT 



with respect to the tree as a whole, but 

 in all its minor details. 



In winter there is strong suggestion of 

 determined vigour in the upgrowth of 

 its firmly planted stem ; in the outgrowth 

 of its ordered branches ; in the wave-like 



assumed. From every bud flow 

 out and overflow, as fountains 

 of living verdure, the emerged 

 leaflets, downward pointing. So 

 they hang pensive for a while, 

 till all the tree becomes as a 

 green cascade. This is but 

 Nature's pause. Slowly, steadily, 

 each separate leaflet straightens 

 itself out, seven leaflets to a 

 single leaf, spreading open- 

 handed, horizontally, and, as it 

 were, upholding a central spike, 

 which becomes a spire, and 

 then the expected flame. So 

 myriads of flames illumine the 

 tree all over, spreading along 

 and over all neighbouring kin- 

 dred trees, flowing along the 

 lines of the broad avenue, from 

 base to summit, from end to 

 end, noblest expression these islands can 

 show of exultant vitality in the year's 

 wealth of blossoming. 



In summer there is again a pause. 

 Masses of deep green build up the shapely 

 pyramid of growth, all overlaid with 



progress of these, rising, flowing over, and patterned ornament in the varied tessela- 



rising again, or curving away upwards, 

 thrusting their well-varnished and hand- 

 some buds into the open air and light. 



In spring, in the earlier days, these 

 buds, opening 

 their brown 

 outer scales, 

 become sud- 

 d e n 1 y more 

 conspicuous in 

 coating of 

 creamy green. 

 Those that are 

 terminal, in par- 

 ticular, stand 

 forth as myriads 

 of candles on 

 m. yriads of 

 steady branch- 

 ings, and seem 

 to need but the 

 touch of flame 

 to make the 

 whole tree one 

 great ilhimined 

 candelabr um. 

 But another as- 

 pect is first 



tion of the symmetrical compound leaves 

 which are so carried and fitted as to yield 

 a wide and welcome shade. 



In aittinnn there is new display. Great 



HORSE CHESTNUT : THE FALL OF THE LEAF. 



