566 Bight Hon. Sir J. Luhhoch on Buds and Stipules. [Jan. 21, 



Bummer, and in the Pine even the rudiments of the leaves of the 

 following year. He showed in some cases how the form of the bud 

 influenced the leaves, pointing out that the seed-leaves, or cotyledons, 

 differ from the subsequent leaves mainly because they are influenced, 

 not by the form of the bud, but by that of the seed, and showed for 

 instance how the form of the seed-leaf in the Mustard and other 

 plants was thus determined. 



In conclusion, he described the fall of the leaf, which is a vital 

 process, and not merely one of death. Finally, he showed in the 

 Rock-roses that those species in which the young bud is protected by 

 a broad petiole have no stipules, while those in which the petiole is 

 narrow are provided with stipules, which serve for the protection of 

 the bud. 



Thus then, he said in conclusion, I have endeavoured to answer 

 Yaucher's question, to explain at any rate in some cases the presence, 

 the uses and the forms of stipules, and the structure of buds in some 

 of our common trees, shrubs and herbs. If I shall have induced you 

 to look at them for yourselves in the coming spring, you will be 

 amply rewarded. 



You will often be reminded of Tennyson's profound remark about 

 Nature : 



" So careless of the single life, 

 So careful of the type she seems," 



and you will, I am sure, be more and more struck with wonder and 

 admiration at the variety and beauty of the provisions by which 

 Nature preserves these tender and precious buds from the severity of 

 winter, and prepares with loving care and rich profusion for the 

 bright promise of spring and the glorious pageant of summer. 



