THE MAGNOLIA AND TULIP TREE 



tance, just as the colors of flowers are an ad- 

 vantage in rendering them more conspicuous. 

 I then looked closely to see whether the pecu- 

 liar forms could in any way be explained by the 

 position of the leaves on the tree. I believe, 

 however, that the cause is of a different nature, 

 and has reference to the peculiar character of 

 the bud. Each young leaf is, as in the family 

 Magnoliacece generally, originally enclosed in 

 and sheltered by the stipules of its predecessor. 

 These are in Liriodendron oval or in form 

 resembling a shallow dish or spoon, so that 

 when placed face to face they form a hollow 

 almond-shaped box. Inside this lies the next 

 younger pair of stipules ; and the rest of the 

 space is occupied by the young leaf, which is 

 conduplicate or folded on itself down the 

 middle, like a sheet of note paper, and also 

 turned back towards the base of the bud. This 

 unusual position is probably due to the early 

 development of the petiole. It seems obvious 

 that the peculiar form of the leaf is due to the 

 form and arrangement of the bud." 



The wood, which is known as whitewood 

 and yellow poplar, is very valuable. It is light 

 and easily worked, and is much used for furni- 

 ture and in the interior finish of houses. The 

 bark of the wood and branches is pungent, bit- 



157 



