394 



Method in 

 which leaves 

 are formed. 



This apparent 

 ©n disserting 

 ▼ery early 

 buds. 



Bud« of three 

 Juncf. 



FORMATION OF THE WINTER LEAF BUD. 



of the abilities of a Malpighi, a Grew, and many others, its 

 real use is not yet per haps known. So defective were our mag- 

 nifying glasses at that time, so impossible was it to render an 

 opake Object luminous and clear, that we cannot wonder 

 they did not attempt to search farther into the formation of 

 the bud : for there is hardly any study, that requires the ob- 

 jects being »o much magnified, and opake specimens so 

 clearly delineated. What follows 1 offer as the result of 

 many years study; I offer it with the greatest diffidence, but 

 with the most thorough conviction of its truth: nor have I 

 trusted wholly to my own sight, many have seen the speci- 

 mens on which I first founded my opinion, and drawn from 

 them the same conclusions; which, though from their no- 

 velty they may surprise, will on farther examination in very 

 young buds and leaves soon give conviction. 



This opinion is, " That leaves are formed or woven by the 

 " vessels or cotton, that is generally supposed by botanists 

 " placed there to defend the bud from the severities of 

 M winter. That these vessels are a continuation of those 

 " of the bark and inner bark in the stem of the plant. 

 *' That these vessels compose the various interlacing 

 " branches of the leaf, which are soon rilled up by the con- 

 «' centrated and thickened juices of the inner bark, which 

 «' form the pabulum of the leaf." 



The truth of this assertion is eas'ly seen by dissecting ve- 

 ry early buds, where except two or three scales, nothing but 

 the^e vessels will be found. What then could be the use of 

 them ? — to put them within the bud to keep the outside warm 

 is against nature, for it is against reason. 1 shall begin with 

 the anatomy of the bud from its rirst appearance; which 

 will explain the whole process, as far as constant attention 

 could give me an insight into it. The gemma or bud grows 

 on the extremity of the young branches. It is a sma'l round 

 or pointed body ; and is fixed on the young shoot, and along 

 the branches on a sort of bracket. There are three sorts. 

 The leaf bud, the flower bud ; and the leaf and flower bud. 

 It is the leaf bud alone 1 mean here to dissect: for their na- 

 tures are totally different, as are the purposes for which they 

 are intended. As 1 look on the leaf bud to be formed 



almost 



