ii4 



THE VEGETATIVE ORGANS 



These observations help us to understand the true nature of 

 the bud-scales. The upper, large, green ones are, like those 

 of the Horse-Chestnut, leaf-bases bearing rudimentary 

 blades, while the lower, exposed ones are leaf-bases only. 

 Some of the earliest buds to open, however, are larger than 

 these and contain flowers as well as leaves (Fig. 70, 1, f.b). 

 When fully expanded the blades are seen to be in one 

 piece (simple), the five lobes not being divided into separate 

 leaflets as they are in the Horse-Chestnut. Note also that 



Fig. 73. Leaf-Mosaic of Sycamore. 



the leaves from one bud form an excellent leaf-mosaic 

 (Fig- 73)- By this means overshadowing and overcrowding 

 are reduced to a minimum, and the leaves secure fuller 

 advantages from exposure to air and sunshine. 



Contrast the Sycamore shoot with that of the Willow 

 (see Fig. 78), and note that in the case of the latter, similar 

 advantages are secured in another way, viz. by long 

 internodes and narrow blades. 



Beech. The bud of the Beech (Fig. 74) presents several 

 interesting differences from those we have examined. 

 Observe its long, tapering form and the light-brown 

 membranous scales which are arranged in pairs. Remove 



