13 
and left alternately, and at equally increasing or 
diminishing distances. Any one in the habit of 
examining what purport to be drawings of plants, 
cannot fail to see that this fact is seldom sufficiently 
considered, although essential if truth is to be repre¬ 
sented. 
22. Leaves again, with reference to their position 
on the branch, present the same regularity as the buds. 
In the common Olive the leaves are placed opposite 
each other in pairs, right and left, and fore and aft, 
— a pair and a pair, a pair and a pair; wherever you 
turn your eye they are still in opposite pairs, one 
balancing the other. In an Alaternus, and in multi¬ 
tudes of other plants, the leaves (like the branches) 
are not opposite, but placed alternately, one above 
the other, from one end of the branch to the other, 
and either equidistant, or at equally increasing and 
diminishing distances. 
23. As vegetation ceases or begins to diminish, 
the distances between the leaves diminish also, still, 
however, in regular proportion and at a regular rate, 
until the entire stoppage of growth is effected. The 
same thing happens when leaves begin to grow; they 
are at first very near each other, then their distance 
increases till its maximum is reached. Equidistance 
continues for a certain length of time; but at last 
growth slackens, and the distance from leaf to leaf 
gradually diminishes. 
24. However confused the arrangement of leaves 
may at first sight appear, it will always be found that 
this is the law which governs their production. 
25. What is true of leaves is equally true of their 
veins, as has been already stated. Venation is per¬ 
fectly symmetrical, the veins balancing each other on 
the two sides of the leaf. 
