ACERACE.E 



143 



If we look at the winter bud of a Maple or Syca- 

 more (and the same is the case with many other trees, 

 as, for instance, the Horse Chestnut), we shall find it 

 covered by a number of brown leathery scales which 

 are, like the leaves, opposite and decussate, so that one 

 might at first sight be disposed to regard them as a 

 simple form of leaf. On looking more closely, however, 

 we shall soon find one which shows a scar or three 

 small teeth at the summit. When the plant begins 

 to grow in spring, some of the scales, especially on 

 certain trees, enlarge somewhat, and show small but 



Fig. 83. — Seedling of A ccr Pseudo-platanns. Half nat. size. 



often well-developed leaf-blades at their tip. In the 

 Norway Maple these scales enlarge and assume a 

 beautiful red colour, so that the growing bud looks 

 almost like an opening flower. These bud -scales, 

 therefore, are evidently the bases of leaf-stalks. If, 

 without waiting for the spring, we open a bud in 

 summer, say in July, we shall find five or six pairs 

 of scales, each pair at right angles with the preced- 

 ing, and then a beautiful little crown of tender green 

 leaves. 



The cotyledons are narrow and ribbon-like (Fig. 83). 

 1 have suggested the following explanation : — " The fruit 

 (Fig. 84) is winged, the seed somewhat obovoid and ex- 

 albuminous — that is to say, the embryo, instead of lying 



