BUDS 



123 



branch by its supporting scale. If the tip of the scale 

 is a rudimentary leaf, what is the scale itself? A 

 leaf-stalk, surely. That seems a natural and almost 



FIG 37. Hud - scale 

 of Sycamore, with 

 rudimentary leaf. 

 Magnified. 



FIG. 38. Bud-scale of 

 Flowering Currant, with 

 rudimentary leaf. Mag- 

 nified. 



inevitable answer, but it is wrong, as we shall see by 

 and by. 



Some Sycamore-buds contain bunches of flowers 

 as well as leaves. These are larger, and expand 

 earlier than those which produce leaves only. 



