i8o 



THE GUELDER ROSE. 



ni:\ELOP.MEXT OF THE LEAF AND FLOWER 



III winter the bud is protected by a pair ot scales, brown-red 

 with a polijhed surtace. In springtime this outer sheatli di\'ides into 

 two halves, which only adhere at the base. Towards the end ot 

 April the leaves push out at the apex ot the bud, each leaf as it 

 emerp;es beintr tolded together at the ribs. At first only the outer 

 pair ot leaves are apparent ; the main rib ot each takes a bow -shaped 

 curve, and the blades lie wrapped protectingly over the inner pair. 



For a time the stipules encircle each foliage-cluster like a pale 

 green cup, but as the leaves develop they too lengthen and tall 

 apart. Meanwhile the inner pair of leaves remain nearly upright, the 

 outer ones, still crumpled, falling away from them like an open fan. 

 In colour the young leaves are pale green, sometimes tinged with 

 red, with a gloss on the upper surface which is lost later in the 

 season. The form of the opening flower-bud is very beautifid. l"'rom 

 a circlet of protecting leaves, whicli themselves radiate from the cup- 

 like inner scales, the pale green heads of flower spring slender antl 

 erect. The scales of tlie flower-bud are larger and fuller than those 

 that cover the leaf-bud. 



