316 
THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. 
leaf, or the angle made by the foot of its stalk and the 
branch : all the summer this bud continues very small and 
inconspicuous^ but by the autumn it has increased so much 
as to force apart the junction of the old leaf with the stem^ 
and separate it by an articulation which did not originally 
exist there, but which has been gradually formed since the 
developement of the leaf Its footing being destroyed, it 
either falls in obedience to the laws of gravity, or but 
waits the passing breeze to convey it to its grave. 
C. — Would not forest leaves make a good manure ? 
F, — In favourable situations, such as where they have 
accumulated in great numbers, and where the ground is 
sufficiently open to allow of the passing of carts, &c. I 
have no doubt they might often be applied with profit. I 
have myself collected some quantities, and applied them 
in the proportion of about sixteen loads to the acre, with 
good effect ; they readily decay, and contain much fertilising 
matter. 
C. - — The beautiful coloured foliage, I perceive, does not 
look so perfect when you examine it leaf by leaf, as it does 
viewed from a little distance as a whole ; numberless 
scratches, spots, and discolorations deface the surface, which 
were altogether invisible before. I have often observed 
round black spots on the surface of leaves beginning to 
decay ; maple leaves, I see, have them plentifully. 
F. — It is a species of fungus which parasitically fixes 
itself there, and draws its support from the substance of the 
leaf, thus forming a rapid agent in its decomposition. 
C. — The fruit of the butternut is now ripe, and falls 
from the tree. It resembles the walnut of Europe, but is 
much inferior. 
F, — The nut is not in its best condition until it has lain 
some time to dry, and the frosts of winter have matured it. 
Then its taste is agreeable ; but its shell is hard to break, 
