104 BEECH. NUT. [CHAP. 



from 2 to 3 inches in length. On the other hand, the 

 distance between the internodes is also smaller, being, 

 say, i inch against something less than 2 inches. 

 The diminution in length of the internode is not, 

 indeed, exactly in proportion to that of the leaf, but, 

 on the other hand, the leaf does not make so wide an 

 angle with the stem. To this position is probably 

 due the difference of form. The outline of the basal 

 half of the leaf fits neatly to the branch, that of the 

 upper half follows the edge of the leaf beyond, and 



FIG. 61. Beech. 



the form of the inner edge being thus determined, 

 decides the outer one also. 



In the Nut (Corylus), the internodes are longer 

 and the leaves correspondingly broader. In the Elm 

 the ordinary branches have leaves resembling, though 

 rather larger than, those of the Beech ; but in vigorous 

 shoots (Ulmus, Fig. 62), the internodes become longer 

 and the leaves correspondingly broader and larger, 

 so that they come nearly to resemble those of the 

 Nut. 



But it may be said that the Spanish Chestnut 



