CO- OPERA TION. 1 7 5 



If we carefully examined the bases where the 

 leaves are attached, about the end of August, we 

 should see the leaf-buds already forming, or formed. 

 Of course the abundance of green leaves conceals 

 them, or draws off our attention from them. But 

 there they are, ready formed. We have only to 

 carefully dissect one of the numerous winter leaf- 

 buds to find that all the leaves which will develop 

 the following summer are already present. All that 

 the summer's sun -light and sun -heat will do will 

 be to increase their size. Each little leaf, or pair of 

 leaves, is snuggly wrapped one within another, in the 

 most approved style of packing. 



Examine some of the leaf- buds we may find 

 upon any tree, and which in some trees, such as the 

 Horse-chestnut, attain a great size. Before the ex- 

 amination is concluded, even unscientific observers 

 will have been struck with something they had not 

 observed before. Open one ; we see the leaves, 

 very dwarfed and undeveloped, but still all are there. 

 How very helpless and weak they look ! In the 

 midst of winter they are of course in a feebler 

 condition than during the summer when there are 

 no frosts nor biting winds to nip them. How are 

 such delicate and undeveloped leaves preserved ? 

 Any Horse-chestnut bud will furnish an explanation. 

 Its outside parts are of a dark -brown colour, and 

 very sticky. They completely cover in and protect 

 the inner and very delicate undeveloped leaves. 



