INFLORESCENCE AND FLOWERS FRUIT AND SEED 127 



ovoid, smooth, olive-brown nut, with the broad end 

 inserted into the cupule, and the narrower, somewhat 

 tapering end projecting free. 



It will be interesting, in the light of the foregoing 

 remarks, to examine one of the stronger lateral buds 

 of the oak towards the end of April, before it unfolds. 

 A transverse section of such a bud shows the following 

 structures : In the centre is the axis of the young shoot, 

 represented by the small central dot in the diagram (fig. 

 32, B). Surrounding this are about eight to ten green 

 leaves in section, and folded on their midribs in such a 

 way that the two halves of the upper surface are face to 

 face and somewhat crumpled ; some of these are turned 

 so that their edges are directed one way, others with 

 them directed the other. 



Each of these leaves has a pair of small stipules, 

 also cut across, and rather difficult to identify (fig. 32, 

 12-20). Some of the foliage leaves bear female inflo- 

 rescences in their axils, as indicated by the sign 5 in 

 the figure. Following on these stipulate leaves are a 

 number of pairs of larger stipules, devoid of foliage 

 leaves and constituting the bud-scales (fig. 32, 1-11). 

 Some of these bear male inflorescences ( $ ) between them 

 i.e. in the position corresponding to the axil of the leaf. 



It will be understood that in this diagram the parts 

 are all represented on a ground-plan, but that as the 

 bud opens the inner leaves and stipules are on higher 

 levels than the outer scales. In fact, proceeding in the 

 order of the numerals, we pass in an ascending spiral 



