INFLORESCENCE AND FLOWERS FRUIT AND SEED. 127 



It will be interesting, in the light of the foregoing 

 remarks, to examine one of the stronger lateral buds of 

 the oak towards the end of April, before it unfolds. A 

 transverse section of such a bud shows the following 

 structures : In the centei is the axis of the young shoot, 

 represented by the small central dot in the diagram 

 (Fig. 32, B). Surrounding this are about eight to ten 

 green leaves in section, and folded on their midribs in 

 such a way that the two halves of the upper surface are 

 face to face and somewhat crumpled ; some of these are 

 turned so that their edges are directed one way, others 

 with them directed the other. 



Each of these leaves has a pair of small stipules, also 

 cut across, and rather difficult to identify (Fig 32, 12-20). 

 Some of the foliage leaves bear female inflorescences in 

 their axils, as indicated by the sign $ in the figure. Fol- 

 lowing on these stipulate leaves are a number of pairs of 

 larger stipules, devoid of foliage leaves and constituting 

 the bud-scales (Fig. 32, 1-11). Some of these bear male 

 inflorescences ( $ ) between them i. e., in the position 

 corresponding to the axil of the leaf. 



It will be understood that in this diagram the parts 

 are all represented on a ground-plan, but that as the 

 bud opens the inner leaves and stipules are on higher 

 levels than the outer scales. In fact, proceeding in the 

 order of the numerals, we pass in an ascending spiral 

 from the outermost lower pair (1) of scales (stipules) to 

 the innermost upper pair (21) with their leaf. 



If we suppose the female inflorescences removed, the 



