OF THE GENUS ULEX. 39 



loped until it forms a disagreeable puncturing instrument at the 

 tip of each leaf. 



In some seedlings this normal course of leaf development is 

 not followed ; in fact, a very great variety in the number and 

 arrangement of the leaves is found. The following are a few 

 examples of seedlings, collected on Woodhouse Ridge, Leeds, 

 which will show how largely they vary : — 



No. I. — Seedling germinated in autumn, locm. long; collected 

 in April after a mild, damp winter. Had grown in stony loam. 



I St to 5th — Trifohate leaves. 



6th — Bifoliate leaf, with small lateral leaflet. 



7th — Trifoliate leaf. 



8th — Spathulate leaf. 



9th to 13th — Linear leaves with spines. 



There were spines in the axils of all these leaves ; and in all, 

 except three of the trifoliate ones at the base, there were acces- 

 sory buds between the leaves and the spines. 



No. 2. — A seedling grown under the same conditions as No. 

 I, but 7*5 cm. long. 



I St to 4th — Leaves in pairs, opposite, spathulate, and the 

 other leaves were spirally arranged. 



5 th — Bifoliate leaf, with a small lateral leaflet. 



6th — Spathulate leaf. 



7th — Spathulate, with a very small lateral tooth. 



8th — Spathulate leaf. 



9th and loth — Spathulate leaves, but narrower; prickle at top 

 becoming more pronounced. 



nth and 12th — Slightly spathulate, with stronger spines. 



13th and 14th — Leaves tapering from base upwards and ter- 

 minating in strong spines. 



All these leaves, except one or two lower ones, had spines in 

 their axils, but no accessory buds could be seen. 



No. 3. — A seedling, 2*5 cm. long, germinated in the autumn; 

 collected in April. Had been growing in humus soil, well exposed 

 to light. 



I St — Two leaves opposite, paired, trifoliate ; subsequent leaves 

 not in pairs, spirally arranged, but with very short internodes. 



3rd — Leaf with one lateral leaflet. 



