112 RELATION OF LEAVES TO BRANCHES. [CH. 



in the same way transpose those of the Spanish 

 Chestnut (Castanea} and those of Acer platanoides, 

 a species of Maple. I have taken specimens in which 

 the six terminal leaves of a shoot of the two species 

 occupy approximately the same area. Figs. 63 and 

 69 show the leaves in their natural position, those 

 of the Spanish Chestnut lying along the stalk, while 

 those of the Maple are ranged round it. In both 



FIG. 70. Leaves pf Castanea. 



cases it will be seen that there is practically no over- 

 lapping and very little waste of space. In the Spanish 

 Chestnut the stalks are just long enough to give a 

 certain play to the leaves. In the Maple they are 

 much longer, bringing the leaves approximately to 

 the same level, and carrying the lower and outer ones 

 free from the upper and younger ones. 



Now, if we arrange the Spanish Chestnut leaves 

 round a centre, as in Fig 70, it is at once obvious how 



