670 



THE ASPEN. 



construction, except that in place of the stamen-bearing scales are 

 found the female organs, enclosed in a capsule from which project 

 the branched stigmas of the ovary. The hairy bract is a feature of 

 both the male and female florets. 



THE LEAVES. 



The leaf-buds may be distinguished from those which contain 

 flowers by their less ovoid form and their smaller size. In February 

 they are about a quarter of an inch long, and of a dark warm brown 

 colour. They are rather angular than rounded, and set on projecting 

 brackets, the bases of former leaf-stalks. These projections are very 

 conspicuous, as the twigs are otherwise round, not fluted like the 

 terminal twigs of the Black Poplar. The buds do not lie so close 



