1 02 LEAF-ARRANGEMENT. 



In the Beech the general plane of the leaves is 

 again that of the branch (Fig. 21), but the leaves 

 themselves are ovate in form, and smaller, being 

 only from 2 to 3 inches in length. On the other 

 hand, the distance between the internodes is also 

 smaller, being, say, li inch against something less 

 than 2 inches. The diminution in length of the 



FIG. 21. BEECH. 



internode is not, indeed, exactly in proportion to 

 that of the leaf ; but, on the other hand, the leaf 

 does not make so wide an angle with the stem. 

 To this position is probably due the difference of 

 form. The outline of the basal half of the leaf 

 fits neatly to the branch ; that of the upper half 

 follows the edge of the leaf beyond, and the form 

 of the inner edge being thus determined, decides 

 the outer one also. 



