THE ALDER BUCKTHORN. 



401 



redden), and, by the end of the month, to black. The berries are 

 hard and smooth, nearly round, and about a quarter-of-an-inch in 

 diameter. 



THE LEAF. 



The leaves resemble those of the Alder in shape, sometimes even 

 displaying the characteristic indenture at the tip. With the similarity 

 of shape the likeness ends, for the leaves of the Buckthorn are 

 smaller, unusually smooth on both surfaces and of a very soft texture ; 

 again, the leaf-blade is remarkably flat, suggesting a leaf that has 

 been pressed, while the regular pattern formed by the first and secondary 

 ribs is indented, as if stamped upon the upper surface, and projects 

 like whipcord from the under surface, the rest of the veining being 

 scarcely discernible. The upper face of the leaf is of a rather dark 

 bluish-green colour, and quite smooth ; the under one of a yellowish- 

 green, with a reflective surface which often acquires a tinge of blue. 

 The edge forms a wavy line, although it is not serrated. The leaves 

 are arranged singly, though sometimes they appear to be in nearly 

 opposite pairs, from three to six in number ; they are set near the 

 extremity ..of the twigs on pale-green stalks, which are tinged with 

 red on the upper side. 



PLAN ' il A I . I ) I K 1:1 11 I. I IK n:\ I I \\ . 



