THE BEECH. • 149 



that it may, at tlie return of spring, be converted into a 

 leafy shoot. Wrapped up in a mantle of silk and water- 

 proof scales, the tender nursling is protected against Avind 

 and rain and cold, and is provided with all that it needs 

 in order to maintain a healthy existence, but not with tliat, 

 Avhatever it may be, which could stimulate it to throw off 



its integuments, and come forward into the light of heaven 

 before the time assigned by its Maker. Examine again 

 the younger trees on the skirts of the grove. They are 

 still clothed Avith the shrivelled foliage of the preceding 

 summer. One would imagine that, exposed to the autum- 

 nal blasts as they have been, they Avould be the first to 



