114 



THE OAK. 



PLAN OF OAK LEAVES. 

 (No. I may be taken as the type.) 



regular shape, and less wavy surface ; its lobes arc more obtuse and 

 foot-stalks longer. The blade is also more glossy and brighter in 

 colour. Oak. leaves in spring are oi a brownish-pink and exceedingly 

 glossy ; later they change to pale green, and become darker and 

 duller as summer comes on ; brown is their autninn tint, and they 

 remain on the tree till late in the autumn or winter. 



The withered foliage is retained tor so long a time owing to 

 the fact that the leaf is not articulated. The difference in the 

 construction of the stalk of an articulated leaf, which forms an 

 angle with the twig, may easily be seen by comparing the leaf ot 

 the Oak with that of the horse-chestnut. As a rule also, aiticidated 

 leaves take on brighter colours before tliey tall tliaii those which 

 are not articulated. 



