THE GLORY OF THE AUTUMN 105 



free acids and anthocyanin, the leaf assumes an orange 

 color. Thus the leaf at the period of autumnal 

 change, by the presence of these substances in a 

 greater or lesser degree, loses its green hue and be- 

 comes brown or yellow, crimson or orange, purple 

 or red. The play of color is greater according to the 

 number of species and individuals associated to- 

 gether in a particular spot. But the greatest display 

 of color is seen when the neighborhood is sprinkled 

 with plants having evergreen foliage, when it often 

 happens that a relatively small area of woodland 

 and meadow appears decked in all the colors of 

 the rainbow. 



The most casual observer knows that all trees 

 and shrubs do not assume tinted foliage in autumn. 

 Some, like the Alder, the Locust (Robinia), the Elder, 

 and most Willows, exhibit little or no change save 

 perhaps a number of yellow leaves scattered through 

 the green before they fall. But this group is rela- 

 tively small and only adds additional contrast to the 

 landscape. Again, plants whose leaves are covered 

 with silky or woolly hairs or with a felted mat of 

 hairs never present any autumn coloring, and in 

 those in which the green color disappears the change 

 is to pale gray and white. 



In a rather large group of trees, which includes 



