94 FAMILIAR TREES 
cells. The tree, however, then acquires a new beauty 
—that of blossom. The curious membranous bracts, 
of a tint resembling the petals of the Mignonette— 
a tint which gave to the silk-mercer the name 
tilleul for one of his numerous novelties in aniline 
—then unfold their inconspicuous flowers. Incon- 
spicuous they may be in their small, regular 
whorls of greenish organs; but their perfume, and 
their copious stores of nectar, render them as 
attractive to the insect world as the most gaily- 
coloured of blossoms, so that the whole tree hums 
like a vast hive of bees. The pale-coloured honey 
made from the Linden blossoms by the busy visitors 
is of excellent quality. 
Autumn brings new grace as the foliage turns to 
yellow, clear in some years as the green of spring; 
but, alas, even more fleeting. The avenue which has 
been so full of green and golden light, and scented so 
sweetly, soon becomes strewn with fallen leaves, from 
which the green and gold have faded, as the hopes 
and happiness of youth fade in the autumn of dis- 
appointment. 
Ray speaks of the Linden as being considerably 
planted in his time; its culture was advocated by 
Evelyn, and it was the favourite tree of William III. 
This monarch’s partiality for the species is said to 
have led to the planting of the fine avenue at Ashtead 
Park, Surrey; and it may also account for the fine 
Lindens at Bushy Park and at Fulham Palace, whose 
lovely gardens’ owe so much to his sturdy supporter, 
Bishop Compton. The four rows of fine trees, mostly 
Lindens, which give the name Unter den Linden to 
