PROPHETIC AUTUMN. 



tiles, to protect their tender tissues from the 

 frost and snow ; and how cleverly they are 

 rolled up in their snug small cradles. As 

 soon as spring breathes warm on them, how- 

 ever, the close valves will unfold, the short 

 stamens will lengthen into hanging tassels, 

 and the pollen will shake itself free on the 

 friendly breezes, to be wafted on their wings 

 to the sensitive surface of the female flowers. 

 Look, again, at the knobs which line the 

 wand-like stems and boughs of the willows. 

 Do you know what they are ? Buds, you 

 say. Yes, leaves for next spring, ready-made 

 in advance, and curled up in embryo, await- 

 ing the summer. If you unfold them care- 

 fully with a needle and pocket-lens, you will 

 find each miniature leaf is fully formed 

 beforehand : the spring has even now begun 

 by anticipation ; it only waits for the sun 

 to unfold and realize itself. Or see, once 

 more, the big sticky buds on the twigs of 

 the horse-chestnut, how tightly and well 

 they protect the new leaves; and notice at 



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