ATTACHMENT OF BRANCHES. 2S1 



ion of the shoot with the stem or branch, we find it 

 no longei an isolated individual, but seated closely up- 

 on the medullary sheath of the parent, and the al- 

 burnous matter which is deposited between its bark 

 and pith, continuous with that thrown out from the li- 

 ber of the old bark, alread) giving origin to a ligneous 

 layer, that forms both a connecting vinculum between 

 the tree and the new branch, and a support to the lat- 

 ter in its projecting position. 



A very clear idea oi the origin and connexion of 

 branches may be obtained by the aid of the diagram 

 given and explained at the end of the volume. 



Such are the observations which appeared neces- 

 sary to illustrate the origin of branches and their con- 

 nexion with the trunk ; and from which the following 

 conclusions may be drawn : 1. That every branch 

 originates in a bud or germ. 2. That every bud or 

 germ is a distinct isolated individual, the lateral prog- 

 eny of the plant, and generated at the first develope- 

 ment of the stem or branch on which it appears, but, 

 after some time, increasing by its own organic pow- 

 ers, it forms a branch, and becomes a part of the tree 

 or shrub which has produced it. 3. That every ad- 

 ventitious bud, or bud appearing at any after period, 

 originates in a germ generated at the developement of 

 the stem or branch on which it appears, although it 

 has hitherto remained latent. 4. That every latent 

 germ is annually carried forward, in a horizontal direc- 

 tion, through every concentric zone of wood, inter- 

 mediate to the medulla and the surface on which it 

 will sprout into a branch ; leaving behind it a sub- 

 stance of a peculiar structure, somewhat resembling a 

 white cord, penetrating the ligneous zones, by which 

 its progress can be traced. 5. That every branch 

 when fully developed, displays the same structure as 

 the stem. 



24* 



