82, 83.] 



THE LEAF-BUD. 



97 



CHAPTER XVIII. 



THE LEAF-BUD. 



244. It is but a step from the study of the bulb to 

 that of the leaf-bud. Buds are of two kinds in respect 

 to their contents the leaf-bud contain- 

 ing the rudiments of a leafy stem or 



branch, the flower-bud containing the 

 same elements transformed into the 

 nascent organs of a flower for the 

 purpose of reproduction. 



245. The leaf-bud consists of a 

 brief, cone-shaped axis with a tender 

 growing point, bearing a protecting 

 covering of imbricated scales and in- 

 cipient leaves. 



246. The leafy nature of the scales 

 is evident from a careful inspection of 

 such buds as those of the Rose, Cur- 

 rant, Tulip-tree, when they are swollen 

 or bursting in Spring. The student 

 will notice a gradual change from the 

 outer scales to the evident leaves or 

 stipules within, as seen in Fig. 273. As 

 a further protection against frost and 

 rain, we find the scales sometimes 



271 



171, Branch of Pear- 

 tree. The terminal bud a, 

 having been destroyed, an 

 .,-!-,. , . axillary bud supplied its 



clothed with hairs, sometimes var- P i ac e, and formed the * 



i -, .., . ,, . . -, , 6. c, Thickened branch 



msned with resin. This is abundant with flower-buds;* branch 



-, ... ., TT PIT with leaf -buds. 272, t, sec 



and very aromatic in the buds of the t ion of terminal bud ; ?, of 

 Balm-of-Gilead and other Poplars. 



247. In regard to position, buds are either terminal 

 or axillary, a distinction already noticed. Axillary 



