SKETCH OF THE CONIPEES OF JAPAN; 



413 



good/^' But the researches of Mr. John G, Veitch have proved 

 beyond all doubt that all three forms of the leaf belong to the 

 same tree. We still want some information as to the extent to 

 which all three are found on the same tree at the same time. 

 But Mr. Veitch's seedling plants grown from the seed of the true 

 P.Jirma, whose leaf was not bifid (indeed scarcely emarginate) at 

 tiie extremity, show that the first year's leaves are of the form of 

 A, homolepis^ and the second years leaves of the form of A. 

 bifida. The following woodcuts represent these differences : 



Fig. 77. 



Leaf taken from terminal 

 branchlet of old tree. 



Fig. 78. ■ 



Leaves of seedling, first 

 year's growth. 



Fig, 79. 



Leaf of seedling from 

 t\vig3 of second 

 year's gro^Ytll, 



The number of rows of stomata on the under side is the same 

 in all three, being from 12 to 15 on each side of the midrib. All 

 the figures given by Siebold and Zuccarini are erroneous, so far 

 as regards the number of rows of stomata; they shoAV these as 

 6 or 7, that is, about the number over which the silvery mealiness 

 usually extends; but on' counting the whole of the rows, their 

 real number is as above stated. 



One or two points of interest remain to be settled by subsequent 

 observation, which can well be done from Mr. Veitch's seedlings. 



These plants having assumed the leaf of A, hifida in their 

 second year, how long does this form continue to be produced? 

 What leaf will the third year show ? — a bifid, or a simple one ? 

 If it continue bifid, another question will suggest itself. Is this 

 its permanent form in these individual trees ? 



* Mr. Gordon, in his book called " The Pinetum," questions the distinct- 

 ness of J. AowioZep?X butmakea up for being right in this by placing J. 

 5i/£Zfl as a synonym for P. Wehhiana. Both opinions are obviously iiiere 

 guesses, hazarded from some fancied resemblaucCj and not being based 

 upon actual examination" of specimens, are of no value. 



