PHANTOM FLOWERS. 23 



foliage on the trees has undergone important changes. 

 Many of the leaves having lost their early succulency, 

 have assumed a strong ligneous character. In place of 

 excessive pulpiness, an undue proportion of fibre per- 

 vades the whole structure of th6 leaf. It has, in fact, 

 become too old for maceration. In other cases the leaf 

 has been either stung by an insect, and the channels 

 through which the sap so mysteriously circulates hav- 

 ing become obstructed by the poisonous infiision in- 

 jected into them, its shape becomes distorted, or its 

 surface is disfigured by blisters. Others have been at- 

 tacked by a different tribe of enemies, who, by half 

 devouring the leaf, as effectually destroy it for the 

 artist. The latter catastrophe invariably overtakes the 

 foliage of the Elm, the Magnolia, and the Maple. 

 These facts we have verified i^ our own experience ; 

 and having been compelled thus to learn them, the 

 resulting knowledge was acquired only from repeated 

 and trying disappointments. They make evident the 

 importance of knowing the exact point in the season 

 'at which each leaf is in proper condition for the artist's 

 hand. 



Another error consists in placing in the macerating 

 vessel many different sorts of leaves, without a knowl- 

 edge of their chemical properties. For instance, those 



