408 



THE BUCKTHORN. 



THE LEAF. 



The leaves grow in pairs, either opposite, or one slightly below 

 the other on the shoot ; each pair is arranged at right angles to the 

 pair above it. The leaf-blade is wavy but not puckered, and quite 

 smooth on both surfaces ; the upper side is slightly glossy and 

 darker than the under side. The edges are turned up and finely 

 serrated ; and the whole leaf is curved round from base to tip, while 

 the point is generally slightly awry. The main and secondary ribs 

 are clearly marked as indentations on the upper and projections on 

 the under side ; and the smaller veins make a pale-green network over 

 the leaf-blade when it is held up against the sky. The leaves are 

 a fresh yellow-green in colour, and soft to the touch. They measure 

 about one-and-a-half inches in length, and the foot-stalks which bear 

 them are about half as long. The foot-stalks have a groove on the 

 upper side, running their whole length. The twigs are very short, 

 and the leaves are arranged upon them in clusters, in the centre of 

 which the small, pointed red-brown buds are to be found. 



