THE MAPLE. 



GENERAL REMARKS.— STIPULES. 



HILST leaves are still in the first stages of development, 

 an important part in their protection is played by the 

 stipules. Li some cases their duties are brought to an 

 end, and they fall away, as soon as the leaf has emerged 

 from the bud. But in others they remain on the new and growing 

 shoot, and themselves increase in size so that they may still serve as 

 guardians to the opening leaves. These stipules have as a rule inter- 

 esting and distinctive characteristics ; whether it be those of rapid 

 growth and adaptive colour changes, as in the Sycamore ; of texture, 

 as with the silk stipules of the young Beech ; or of form, as in 

 those which surround the ash-bud and display at the tip a rudi- 

 mentary leaf-blade. The size of the stipules on the Norway Maple 

 and their brilliant scarlet colouring form their special claim to notice. 

 In the Field Maple they curiously resemble the leaf itself, excepting 

 that the part which corresponds to the leaf-stalk is of peculiar con- 

 struction. Reference to the drawings and descriptions will give 

 material for comparison between the stipule forms of different species 

 of trees, 



