PHANTOM FLOWERS. 



23 



foliage on the trees lias undergone important changes. 

 Many of the leaves having lost their early succulencj, 

 have assumed a strong lig-neous character. In place of 

 excessive pulpiness, an undue proportion of fibre per- 

 vades the whole structure of the 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 Trliich the sap so mysteriously circulates hav- 

 ing become obstructed by the poisonous infusion 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 in our o^YT^ experience ; 

 and having been compelled thus to learn them, the 

 resulting knowledge was acquii-ed only from repeated 

 and trying disappointments. They make evident the 

 importance of knomng 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 



