The ninth and tenth nodes bear leaves somewhat better developed, but their stipules are smaller and narrower. The fourth leaf, at the eleventh node of the bud, is conduplicate, and as long and about as wide as its stipules, without being unfolded. Succeeding leaves and stipules are very much smaller in the bud at this stage, but otherwise similar to the fourth.

It will be noted that the stipules become almost separate from their leaf from the first one onwards, even in the bud stage. The stipules are deciduous, falling

before the end of the summer.

MAPLE (Acer)

In species which have no stipules there is nothing to distinguish the base of the leaf from the petiole.

Thus, if we look at the winter-bud of a Sycamore, a Maple (figs. 161, 162), or a Horse Chestnut, we find it covered by a number of brown, leathery scales, which are, like the leaves, opposite and decussate, so that one might at first sight be disposed to regard them as a simple form of leaf. On looking more closely, however, we shall soon find one which shows a scar or three small teeth at the summit. When the plant begins to grow in spring some of the scales, especially on certain trees, enlarge somewhat, and show small but often welldeveloped leaf-blades at their tip. In the Norway Maple (Pl. II. figs. 2-4) these scales enlarge and assume a

beautiful red colour, so that the growing bud looks almost like an opening flower.

These bud-scales, therefore, are evidently the bases of leaf-stalks.

If, without waiting for the spring, we open a bud

FIG. 161.-Leaf-bud. FIG. 162.-Flower-bud.

in summer, say in July, we shall find five or six pairs of scales, each pair at right angles with the preceding, and then a beautiful little crown of tender green leaves. Fig. 161 shows such a bud, drawn in December, after the removal of one of the last pair of scales. The remaining scale is shown forming a large hood over the little leaves, which at Christmas only occupy about half the space in the bud.

Other buds (fig. 162) contain flowers. Both are lovely, and I do not know which is the more exquisite.

ASH (Fraxinus)

The buds of the Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) (figs. 163–5) are olive-green, so dark as to be almost black. Tennyson, in the 'Gardener's Daughter,' describes Juliet's hair as

More black than ash-buds in the front of March.

The stems are much paler. The lateral buds are almost completely covered by the two outer scales. The

FIG. 163.

FIG. 164.

ASH BUDS. Nat. size.

FIG. 165.

In fig. 164 and fig. 165 successive pairs of scales have been removed from the

terminal bud.

scales of the terminal bud are often more or less bent. The scales are leaf-stalks, and generally show more or less rudimentary leaflets at the tip. The outer scales are

thick, and rather furry on the inner side. The second pair are furry on the outer side, and especially on the edges. The third pair still more so.

The outer scales are not dead, like those of so many trees, but increase more or less in size. The dark colour is due to a layer of black, more or less angular bodies, which are flattened hairs, containing a dark resinous secretion, and do not increase in size or number. As the scale grows they are, therefore, carried further and further apart, and occupying a smaller relative portion of the surface, the general colour becomes lighter and greener.

HORSE CHESTNUT (Esculus)

The

The bud of the Horse Chestnut (Esculus Hippocastanum) is protected by eight or ten scales. outer ones are dark brown and short; they are serially continuous with the leaves of the preceding year. Those following become gradually longer and paleroften pinkish towards the end. The inner ones have a delicate fringe along their edges. The outside of the bud is very sticky. The scales are followed by normal. leaves. Each segment of the leaf is conduplicate, and the midribs of the first, as well as the petiole and the internodes, are further protected by a thick felt, which is sometimes of a rich orange colour. This is less developed on the inner leaves, where it would not be so much wanted.

PROTECTION BY LEAF-BLADE

LILAC (Syringa)

The bud of a Lilac (Syringa vulgaris) at first sight closely resembles that of a Maple or Horse

FIGS. 166-172.-LILAC, SHOWING SEPARATED BUD-SCALES. Enlarged. Chestnut, but the real structure is quite different. Each scale here represents a leaf-blade. The first pair (fig. 166) are short and broad; the second (fig. 167) are somewhat longer and pointed; the third