PLANT COMMUNITIES : SEASONAL CHANGES. 41S 



726. defoliation of bare forests in spring. — There is a cer- 

 tain charm watching the refoliation of the bare forests, when the 

 cool gray and brown tints are slowly succeeded by the light yel- 

 low-green of the young leaves, which presents to us a warming 



Fig. 506. 

 Opening buds of hickory. 



glow of color. Then the snow-clad fields change to gray, and 

 soon are enveloped in a living sea of color. The quiet hum of 

 myriads of opening buds and flowers in harmony with the 

 general awakening of nature, and the trickling streamlets which 

 unite into the gurgling brooks, makes sweet music to our atten- 

 tive minds. 



