36 SPRING EFFECTS ON THE LA WN. 



the dark glowing red of its flower into sudden full-blown 

 beauty. This rhododendron is quite dwarf in its nature and 

 not at all spreading. It is not indeed specially conspicuous 

 among its relatives, except for the extreme earliness of its 

 flowers. The leaves are small, and not always as lustrous 

 as the broad foliage of Rhododendron Catav)lyiense and 

 R. maximum. 



But there are other trees and shrubs not far behind 

 this Rhododendron Daurioum and yellow jasmine. The 

 scarlet maple, which we saw a few months since dyed 

 during the yearly process of decay with lovely crimson, is 

 now scarcely less attractive. Almost before we fairly begin 

 to feel that spring is upon us we note with sudden pleasure 

 the bare branches of the scarlet maple studded with minute 

 red buds oyer the entire tree, literally Jewelled with the 

 first bursting luxuriance of spring. These leaf-buds are 

 accompanied, if not entirely outstripped, by the flowers, a 

 common peculiarity of the inflorescence of all early spring- 

 blooming plants. The flowers of the scarlet maple are of 

 course most noteworthy, and are the special cause of the 

 bejewelled appearance of the bi'anches. 



Thus far we have dwelt particularly on the flowers of 

 spring, but we must be careful not to forget the equally 

 attractive charms of the unfolding leaf. The mysterious 

 processes of the early development of the leaf reveal 

 exquisite shadings and tints and a marvellous delicacy of 

 form seldom to be found in such bright, rich beauty as in 

 the budding of this maple. 



Who has not likewise enjoyed the pushing forth of the 

 pussies or catkins of willow and alder ? Delightful in their 



