ON THE STRUCTURE OF BUDS 117 



of the axis, and likewise of the leaf in whose axil they 

 occur. They are brownish red, glabrous, shining, and 

 for a time increase in size with the swelling of the buds 

 in spring. Finally, they burst antero-posteriorly along 

 the line of union for a quarter to three-quarters of their 

 length, the greatest amount of fission occurring, as a 

 rule, along the posterior face, allowing the developing 

 axis with its leaves to make its exit at the apex. Each 

 of these scales is keeled, the keel corresponding to the 

 midrib. Three or five veins may be seen on the inner 

 face, corresponding to the principal vascular bundles 

 running through the petiole into the lobes of the 

 lamina. Three of them generally terminate in gland- 

 like tips. 



The second pair of scales are more membranous, 

 pale green, five-nerved, reticulate, cohering in a tube, 

 which bursts from the apex downwards for one-third 

 to one-half its length, or more, when growth is re- 

 sumed in spring. They double their length during and 

 after the expansion of the buds, and are, therefore, 

 intermediate in character between the most modified 

 pair of scales and the true leaves. The three principal 

 veins terminate in gland-like teeth, thus, possibly, 

 indicating the presence of the lamina in an undeveloped 

 state. When fully developed they are seen to be 

 spathulate by a dilatation of the upper half. 



If the terminal bud is examined, it will be seen that 

 the scales are opposite decussate, and serially continuous 



