46 
colourless condition. They are covered on both sides with a 
glaucous layer of wax which prevents them from getting wetted ; 
the rain-drops therefore can be seen sparkling with a silvery 
lustre on them. 
The buds are protected by closely fitting scale-leaves 
(Fig. 29 A). The terminal bud usually fails to develop, and at 
the end of the shoot the small, conical, decaying portion of it 
may be observed (Fig. 29 G, /’); sometimes a larger part dies 
than merely the terminal bud. Below the dead portion two to 
Fig. 29. Vaccinium uriginosum. (From West Greenland.) 
A, Branch in spring (Disko; June 2, 1907: Porsild). B, To shew the mode of branching 
(reduced); 7, ZI, III are successive axes. C, Runner with scale-leaves which merge by easy 
stages into foliage-leaves (slightly mag.). D, Apex of a subterranean runner. Z, A runner 
with branches and roots in its leaf-axils (July). Z, Portion of a branch, shewing the 
position of the leaf relative to the axillary bud and the dead apex of the shoot (J). 
G, Branch (from Upernivik); the snow has recently disappeared (May 17, 1887); I is the 
apex of the main axis; the terminal bud is floral. (E. W.) 
four axillary buds develop into new shoots so that the branching 
becomes dichotomous (Fig. 29 5). The lower part of the year’s 
shoot remains unbranched. 
At the end of the flower-bearing branches one to four buds 
occur which develop into dwarf-shoots, each bearing from one 
to two flowers (Fig.30 A, C, E); the buds are protected by 
scale-leaves. 
The flowers are formed during the year previous to that 
