520 SIR JOHN LUBBOCK ON STIPULES, 
persistent; the petioles very short, slightly grooved above and 
slightly narrowed to the base. 
The terminal bud is protected by each pair of leaves in suc- 
cession. At this stage the leaves are sessile or subsessile, boat- 
shaped, sub-fleshy, cohering rather firmly by their edges, and 
enclosing all the younger members. 
Axillary buds are already developing in the axils of the oldest, 
but still unfolded pair of leaves, and are thus amply protected in 
their earlier stages. After the leaves expand the erect petioles 
offer further protection. The first pair of leaves on the axillary 
shoot are reduced to small subulate scales, bearing a remarkable 
resemblance to stipules. By closing the space between the petiole 
and axis they perform the protective function of stipules covering 
the younger leaves except at the tip. The succeeding leaves are 
arranged like those of the terminal bud. 
LORANTHACES. 
In Viscum album, Linn, the leaves are opposite, spathulate, 
entire, coriaceous, and narrowed to the base. The annual branches 
are all axillary and arise in the axils of the only pair of true leaves 
developed on each shoot. The base of the leaf is narrowed, and 
the cortical tissue of the upper surface develops into an elevated 
hood covering one half of the axillary bud. 
Above the pair of true leaves are two decussating scales adnate 
to, or decurrent upon, the axis. All the four scales have thickened, 
triangular, free tips, articulated with the adnate portion. The 
latter may really be a thickening of the cortical tissue of the axis. 
At all events, this adnate portion at the line corresponding to the 
union of the two is developed into a hood protecting the other 
half of the leafy bud. The bracts all behave in the same way, so 
that the two lateral flower-buds are protected in the same way 
as the leafy buds below them. The terminal flower-bud is pro- 
tected solely by the upper pair of bracts. The tips or the whole 
of the perianth of the flower-buds for next year are exposed at 
midwinter, and sometimes the ovary of the terminal bud as well, 
or partly so. A similar case occurs in Clusia. 
The leaves appear to be pushed off annually upon the resump- 
tion of growth, for the thickened base of the shoots occupies the 
position of the leaves or the greater portion of it, leaving only a 
narrow scar. 
