ON tin: structure of buds 143 



tridentate, and shows a transition towards the true 

 nature of its component parts. 



The ninth scale (fig. 242) is oblong, much narrower, 

 and trifid. The middle tooth is subulate-terete, sub- 

 fleshy, and red, being more like a petiole than in any- 

 previous scale. The three nerves are now closer together 

 and directed into the petiole. The side lobes or stipules 

 are rounded. The fifth to the ninth scale inclusive 

 are more or less woolly on the inner face. 



At the tenth node a normal leaf occurs (fig. 243). 

 It is oblong-obovate, plicate, with ascending nerves, 

 serrate, woolly, and slightly shorter than its oblong or 

 spathulate membranous stipules, which show one or 

 two nerves. 



The leaf-blade (fig. 244) at the eleventh node is 

 lanceolate, and slightly longer than its linear, 1 -nerved 

 stipules. The third leaf-blade (fig. 245) at the twelfth 

 node is shorter and narrower, as are its stipules. The 

 fourth leaf (fig. 246) at the thirteenth node is smaller, 

 and shows a slight variation in being wider at the 

 middle. The fifth, sixth, and seventh leaves, with 

 their stipules, are gradually smaller, but otherwise 

 similar. 



The actual number of scales in the buds of the 

 Whitebeam varies a good deal, being fewer in the 

 small buds, as well as in the large ones containing an 

 inflorescence. The outer scales are coriaceous, the 

 inner ones membranous. The bud sketched was ex- 



