TAXACEAN AND SILVER FIR LEAVES 249 
But both of them have leaves situated on stems after 
the manner of the Silver Firs, and which when pulled 
off leave a circular disc mark, whereas the Cephalotaxi 
and Torreyas have leaves like the Yew; that is to 
say, mounted on raised continuations of leaf stalks, 
running lengthways alongside of the stem, as if they 
were part and parcel of it. On the top of this a small 
twisted leaf stalk or jointed base connects them with 
the outstanding leaf. Thus the Taxacean leaves 
occupy a very different position in their mode of 
attachment to stem from that occupied by a leaf on a 
Silver Fir, which we have fully descanted on in its 
appointed place, as also upon the impression left 
after pulling off the leaf. They also occupy a different 
position from that of a Spruce leaf, which is mounted 
on a hard, woody peg-like projection, as has been 
explained under the description of Spruces. 
The scar left after pulling off a Taxacean leaf, be it 
Yew, Cephalotaxis or Torreya, is much more in 
character with, from a position and shape point of 
view, that of a leaf wrenched off a Douglas Fir or a 
jointed-at-base Juniper. If any one cared to take the 
trouble to pursue a little amateur botanical investiga- 
tion in this direction—even if Torreyan Yews and 
Bracteata Silver Firs were not forthcoming to make 
a trial of—no difficulty could possibly be incurred in 
obtaining the service of a Silver Fir and Yew leaf-clad 
twig, wherefrom similar results and similar com- 
parative analogies could be obtained. On them you 
could compare the differences of attachment of leaf 
to stem, and thus would be constituted one of those 
object-lessons from observation that are so much more 
illuminating to most than the reading of writings ; 
and the Taxacean Yews and Silver Fir trees satis-° 
factorily severed for ever and aye from any chance 
of confusion of connection in the. investigator’s 
mind. 
