14 



BUDS AND STIPULES 



shape. One idea which occurred to me was that the 

 difference of form might enable insects to perceive the 

 tree at some distance, just as the colours of flowers are 

 an advantage in rendering them more conspicuous. I 

 then looked closely to see whether the peculiar forms 

 could in any way be explained by the position of the 

 leaves on the tree. I believe, however, that the cause 

 is of a different nature, and has 

 reference to the peculiar character 

 of the bud. 



Each young leaf is, as in the 

 family Magnoliacete generally, ori- 

 ginally enclosed in and sheltered 

 by the stipules of its predeces- 

 sor. These are in Liriodendmn. 

 oval, or in form resembling a 

 shallow dish or spoon, so that 

 when placed face to face they 

 form a hollow almond-shaped 

 box. Inside this lies the next 

 younger pair of stipules; and the rest of the space is occu- 

 pied by the young leaf, which is conduplicate, or folded 

 on itself down the middle, like a sheet of notepaper, and 

 also turned back towards the base of the bud. This 

 unusual position is probably due to the early develop- 

 ment of the petiole. The young stages in the develop- 

 ment of the leaf are shown in figs. 17 and 18. 



Here it seems obvious that the peculiar form of the 



Fig. 17. Diagram show- 

 ing Arrangement of 

 the Young Leaf of 



LlRIODENDRON. 



