232 On ike Buds and Ramifications of Plants* 



not far from the truth ; that their error was very excusable, 

 for they might easiiy take for pith the reproducing organ^ 

 which will be mentioned in the course of this letter, and 

 the herbaceous substance of which hai a resemblance to 

 that of this spongy organ. It may be said further in their 

 favour, that they had not before them the experiments of 

 Desfontaines, Coulomb, Hedwig, Mirbei, and Medicus, 

 and so many other philosophers who have thrown light on 

 a great numh..r of points hitherto inexplicable in regard to 

 the interior oioonomy of vegetables. 



The observations which tnis study gave me an opportu- 

 nity of making, have conducted me to results so unex- 

 pected, that I did not think proper at first to trust to my 

 own eyes. Convinced without being persuaded, and dis- 

 trusting my own senses, especially m an experiment the 

 results of which were in open contradiction to what we are 

 taught by the greatest masters, I resolved to submit to you 

 these observations, and to give them at the same time pub- 

 licity, in order to call the attention of the most enlightened 

 botanists to the new phaenonienon which I think I have 

 perceived. I must, however, say, that it is the force of con- 

 viction, the desire of instruction, and not a vain spirit of 

 controversy so unworthy of a real naturalist, which induce 

 nie to think differently from several celebrated men superior 

 to envy, and to whom I readily pay the tribute of my gra- 

 titude for the benefit I have received from their works. 



Before I give my observations on the origin of buds, I 

 shall first rectify some ideas generally adopted in regard to 

 these organs. 



" The name of hud is given in botany to small bodies 

 more or less round or ovoid, and covered with scales hol- 

 lowed out like a spoon, or with a down more or less thick. 

 These organs are formed gradually in the spring season in 

 the eyes of the leaves of most trees, shrubs, and plants of 

 the dicotyledons, especially in climates where the winters 

 are pretty severe. They contain and conceal the rudiments 

 destined to be developed the following year into branches, 

 leaves, and flowers. They have received from nature the 

 faculty of resisting cold and humidity : several of them may 

 be preserved, like a great many seeds, during one or more 

 years, by remaining m a stale of torpor until the develop- 

 ment of their parts is excited by favourable circumstances." 

 These are the principles commonly received in regard to 

 buds in general; but it appears to me that they are suited 

 properly but to one species, that of most trees and shrubs 

 in countries where the winter is pretty severe, 



6 I shall 



