26 



BUDS AND STIPULES 



comparatively large ; while in the Common Elder (Sam- 

 bucus nigra, fig. 31) they are minute or altogether absent. 



ctfi ^ In many cases the stip- 



ules differ in shape and 

 size, even in the same 

 plant. Of this the Common 

 Thorn (Gratcegus Oxyacan- 

 tha) (fig. 32) affords a good 

 illustration. 



As regards their colour, 

 leafy stipules are generally 

 green; the minute stipules 

 of the Holly (Ilex Aquifo- 

 lium) are black; the scales 



FIG. 31. YOUNG SHOOT OF of buds are various shades of 

 ELBER (Sambucus nigra). ^^ ^^ off ^ ^^ . 



scarious stipules range from straw-colour to grey. Some 

 are beautifully coloured, almost like the petals of flowers : 

 in the Hornbeam, for instance, often of a bluish purple 

 (PL I. figs. 4 and 5) ; and in the Wych Elm (PL III.) 

 a red purple; in the Lime a rich crimson, or even 

 bright ruby (PL I. figs. 1-3). 



Stipules, when large and foliaceous, resemble in tex- 

 ture the leaves of which they form a part. The outer 

 stipular scales of many buds are tough and leathery, the 

 inner ones more membranous, and often very delicate, 

 thin, and almost transparent. Others develop into hard, 

 woody spines, as in Robinia (so-called Acacia), &c. 

 (figs. 33, 34). 



