THE ELDER. 



383 



old twig in the same plane with it, and at a curve very like that 

 formed by their predecessors, the leaf-stalks : between the pair nearest 

 the apex of the old shoot, is seen the stump of last year's flower 



SKETCH OF AN 

 ELDER TRUNK. 



stalk. This manner of growth results in a series of forks, two or 

 three-pronged according as they occupy the upper or the lower place 

 on the twig : it is the normal type of ramification in the Elder, but 

 irregularities occur from various causes. The buds are fragile and 



