STRUGGLE FOR EXISTENCE Itf A TREE TOP 9 



of the branches, then the branches must all arise 

 from the ends the following year, for we have 

 already found (2) that branches normally start only 



FIG. 5. 

 The lengthening leaf-stalks on a horizontal shoot of Norway maple. 



from leaf axils. The persisting branches, therefore, 

 may mark the general lengths of the previous an- 

 nual growths. 



11. Following the branches back we notice 

 that there are regular blank spaces and regular 

 points of branching. Every space between the 

 branches is a year's growth, but these spaces 

 still show the buds which failed to grow. Even 

 on the oldest part of the branch, the rough eleva- 



