158 BUDS AND STIPULES 



immediately beneath it being strongest on the leading 

 branches ; they are also the first to resume growth in 

 spring. All are covered with numerous scales, which 

 consist of modified leaves. The actual number of scales 

 varies greatly, according to the size of the bud. The 

 accompanying figures would represent buds and scales 

 about the middle of April, aftergrowth has recommenced. 

 The outer scales are the most coriaceous, and elongate 

 slightly or not at all ; the inner ones are transparent 

 and membranous, elongating considerably in spring. 



The true leaf (fig. 277) consists of a lamina, which 

 becomes disarticulated (when about to fall) from a short 

 persistent portion or pedestal, surmounting a basal 

 portion which is decurrent upon the axis. Fig. 278 

 shows a small, slightly modified leaf a form which 

 occurs but sparingly. 



The basal portion of the bud is covered with broad, 

 triangular, acuminate scales (figs. 279, 280), with a 

 more or less evident midrib, which seem to consist of 

 the whole leaf modified. These are followed by a few 

 oblong, obtuse, or subacute scales (figs. 281, 282) that 

 are still coriaceous, but elongate slightly in spring in 

 the case of the inner ones. 



The innermost scales (figs. 283, 284, 285) are as 

 long as the bud, or nearly so ; but after the resump- 

 tion of growth they soon extend beyond the coriaceous 

 ones, keeping pace for a time with the elongating axis, 

 and completely enclosing the young true leaves. These 



