236 - DEVELOPMENT OF STIPELLÆ. 
In Rhizophora, R. gymnorhiza, the developments are strictly 
alternate and independent ; the stipulæ are only to be known 
by the young. lamina not being contracted at the point of at- 
tachment, They alternate strictly with the leaves, to account 
for which an internal degree of union of the contiguous mar- 
gins must be assumed, though contrary to what may be infer- 
. red from the general venation, integrity, and relative size of 
the vessels, and the development which shews that ab origine 
they are two scales, alternating with the preceding leaves, and 
from another node.* 
Consequently in Rhizophora, the stipule are leaves, pro- 
tecting buds ; the species requiring that every bud, at every 
‘node, shall be so protected; every other node is foliiferous, 
every other gemma tegminiferous. This is also shewn by the 
fact that the lateral buds are sometimes—generally perhaps, 
protected at the base by two minute cordate scales, alter- 
nating where there are two ordinary stipule, but without 
corresponding leaves. 
If we look again at Ficus elastica, we shall find that either 
the bud or stipule is furrowed longitudinally, corresponding 
to the centre of the axis, that the line of insertion of the 
stipule is plainly above that of the leaf, and that moreover 
there is not the slightest appearance of its margins being con- 
tinuous with those of the petiole. 
STIPELLA. 
Stipelle remain to be explained—are they, as some formsof _ 
stipule improperly so called, mere appendages of the petiole, 
as are those of Sedgwickia? They are usually deciduous, so 
are scales of buds. "They are usually rather of a different and 
less foliaceous nature than leaves, so are scales of buds. 
They in all cases protect the bud or young elongated portion 
_of the axis, so do scales of buds. 
They rarely produce buds from their axilla, so also is the 
case with scales of buds. 
-* (I understand Nodes to be clavate spathulate bodies ?) 
