XV] FALSE DICHOTOMY 115 



the line of growth of the twig, but it is evident that, 

 morphologically considered, the new shoot is a lateral 

 shoot to the twig and a sympodial system i.e. a shoot 

 made up of several successive stretches of lateral growths 

 straightened out has been originated. It is noteworthy 

 that in some cases the Oak and Beech really do retain 

 the true terminal bud. 



In twigs on which the buds are opposite, the death of 

 the terminal bud often takes place at a later date, and 

 there follows a curious result, slightly different in its 

 effects from the above but depending on the same 

 principles. 



For instance, the Horse-chestnut, a tree with opposite 

 and decussate leaves and buds, has normalty a true 

 terminal bud (Fig. 7) ; but it is a common occurrence to 

 find the twig ending in a pair of buds, of equal size and 

 with their long axes diverging from that of the twig, and 

 in the angle between them a saddle-shaped scar (Fig. 18). 

 This scar shows the true termination of the twig, and 

 marks the situation of what was a bud in the previous 

 spring, but which developed into an inflorescence, and 

 died off in due course, thus causing the twig to end 

 blindly. 



A similar false dichotomy, as this forking of the twig 

 is termed, is very common in trees with opposite buds, of 

 which the true terminal bud is prone to develop into 

 flowers or to die off when young, e.g. in 



Horse-chestnut Lilac Syringa 



Guelder Rose Wayfaring Tree Sycamore 



Maple Elder Privet 



Spindle Tree Dogwood Staphylea. 



Obviously these abortions of the true terminal buds 

 bring about differences in the form of branching of the 

 twigs, which, however slight they may appear at this early 



82 



