36 



HARDWICKE'S SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



[Feb. 1, 1869. 



to tie .ordinary phyllotaxis by a liberal suppression 

 of leaves. It is an interesting and suggestive cir- 

 cumstance that the plants of the earlier geological 

 formations had all whorled leaves, as is shown by 

 the Rev. Samuel Haughtou, in his "Manual of 

 Geology." The introduction of non-whorled plants 

 is geologically of a more recent date. 



V 



?>\ 



Fig. 24. Beech. 



Fig. 25. Hornbeam. 



The study of buds may also be turned to account 

 in other ways. It is of great importance to be able 

 to recognize our trees and shrubs in the winter 

 season, when devoid of leaf, flower, and fruit. This 

 may perhaps be done by observing the conformation 



of the branches and twigs, and the colour and 

 sculpture of the bark. It will, however, be greatly 

 facilitated by an intimate knowledge of buds. It 

 is not unfrequently desirable to be able to assign 

 i'small stray branches and twigs to their parent 

 orms ; and for this purpose a thorough knowledge 



Fig. 26. Hazel. Fig. 27. White Beam. Fig. 28. Maple. 



of the form, colour, and arrangement of buds, if 

 not essential, is of very great value — a cursory in- 

 spection, in such case, being often all that is neces- 

 sary in order to determine the question. 



