29S THE LARCH. 



The leaves oi most trees lie in a set position. On the Maples, 

 Horse-Chestnut, the Beech and the Hornheam they lie horizontal or 

 somewhat drooping. It is the same witli the Spanish Chestnut, Ash, 

 Walnut, Elm, and Hazel, exxept that on the young vertical shoots 

 the leaves incline upwards. The Poplars have many pendent leaves; 

 Oak and Holly leaves are set upon the twig at rather less than a 

 right angle, and thev preserve that position in relation to it what- 

 ever direction it mav take. Holly leaves turn on their stalks so as 

 to enable each leaf-blade to obtain as much light and air as possible, 

 but the relative positions of the main rib and the twig remain un- 

 altered. The leaves of the Larch differ from all the foregoing in 

 following no rule in this matter ot position ; they point upwards, 

 downwards, or sideways, while sometimes each leat ot a group points 

 in a different direction. But although conformity to a set position 

 is the general rule, it must not be supposed that it is observed by 

 all the leaves of a particular tree, or even by every leaf of a twig. 



THE FLOWER AND CONES. 



The flowers of the Larch in their general structure resemble 

 those of the Scotch Fir. The male and female catkins "row on the 

 same tree. The tormer appear in April. They are small, round, or 

 conical in shape, and consist of a central axis hidden by tiny feathery 

 brown scales ; each scale is furnished with a pair of pollen sacks on 

 it-> under side. The female catkins are more conspicuous, and there 

 is much beauty in their waxen texture and hrilhant colouring, 

 ranging from pink and white to rich crimson. They are composed 

 of soft overlapping scales, arranged in a spiral, upon an axis which is 

 placed erect on a shcjrt cur\ed pedicel. At the base of each scale 

 on its upper side are two ovules. The ovules arc " naked," not 



