72 



THK SPINDLH TREK. 



stalks from its apex ; these are usually placed three in a row, hut 

 are sometimes more numerous, and thev support the Horcts. The 

 central tlr.ret is the tir^t to develop troni a round hud ot a very pale 

 irreen and not more than one-ei^hth-ot-an-inch in diameter. The flower 

 stalks are green like the shoots, curved, and about an inch in length. 

 At the junction ot the secondary with the main stalk are tiny colour- 

 less stipules. The small star-shaped tiov\ers open in May : they are 

 composed of four pale-green pointed petals, set like a cross and ex- 

 panding stiffly. 



The edges of each petal are bent back so that thev all but 

 meet on the imder side, and between them the green sepals are plainly 

 visible. Four short pink-tipped stamens surround tlie conspicuous dark- 

 green ovary. The seed-covering, which in September succeeds the tiovver, 

 is very beautitul : capsules of rose-colour enclose a seed membrane at 

 brilliant orange hue. The form and size of this husk is tully explained 

 by the drawings. 



SIMNDLE TKF.E— EUONYMUS EUK(JP(KUS. 

 'Ihc Spindle i» a iiaiivu of liiiropc ami Western Siberia. 



