TAXACEAN AND SILVER FIR LEAVES 249 



But both of them have leaves situated on stems after 

 the manner of the Silver Firs, and which when pulled 

 off leave a circular disc mark, whereas the Cephalotaxi 

 and Torreyas have leaves like the Yew ; that is to 

 say, mounted on raised continuations of leaf stalks, 

 running lengthways alongside of the stem, as if they 

 were part and parcel of it. On the top of this a small 

 twisted leaf stalk oj jointed base connects them with 

 the outstanding leaf. Thus the Taxacean leaves 

 occupy a very different position in their mode of 

 attachment to stem from that occupied by a leaf on a 

 Silver Fir, which we have fully descanted on in its 

 appointed place, as also upon the impression left 

 after pulling off the leaf. They also occupy a different 

 position from that of a Spruce leaf, which is mounted 

 on a hard, woody peg-like projection, as has been 

 explained under the description of Spruces. 



The scar left after pulling off a Taxacean leaf, be it 

 Yew, Cephalotaxis or Torreya, is much more in 

 character with, from a position and shape point of 

 view, that of a leaf wrenched off a Douglas Fir or a 

 jointed-at-base Juniper. If any one cared to take the 

 trouble to pursue a little amateur botanical investiga- 

 tion in this direction — even if Torreyan Yews and 

 Bracteata Silver Firs were not forthcoming to make 

 a trial of — no difficulty could possibly be incurred in 

 obtaining the service of a Silver Fir and Yew leaf-clad 

 twig, wherefrom similar results and similar com- 

 parative analogies could be obtained. On them you 

 could compare the differences of attachment of leaf 

 to stem, and thus would be constituted one of those 

 object-lessons from observation that are so much more 

 illuminating to most than the reading of writings ; 

 and the Taxacean Yews and Silver Fir trees satis- 

 factorily severed for ever and aye from any chance 

 of confusion of connection in the investigator's 

 mind. 



