THE LEAF-BUD. 173 



The directions for observing the folding and roll- 

 ing of leaves apply also to the study of their arrange- 

 ment. But there are several different ways in which 

 imbricate leaves are placed, and it is sometimes quite 

 difficult to make them out. The best way to study 

 the arrangement of leaves in the bud is to cut off the 

 top of the bud with a sharp knife, and look down on 

 the cut edges, which will show not only whether the 

 leaves are imbricate or valvate, but also, if they are 

 imbricate, the particular mode of overlapping. In 

 most cases, however, a magnifying-glass is needed to 

 show the details of a complex arrangement, and so 

 we shall leave the illustration of this branch of ver- 

 nation to be taken up again in the Second Book of 

 Botany. 



In your notes about trees you can now include 

 your discoveries about the buds of the particular 

 kinds of woody plants you are studying. 



Answer the following questions in regard to each 

 sort by frequent observations made during their 

 growth. Answer them in writing in your book for 

 each of the woody plants that you have selected to 

 study throughout the year. 



QUESTIONS ON THE BUDS OF A PLANT. 



When do the buds begin to swell ? 

 How long are they in unfolding ? 

 Are they naked, scaly, woolly, or gummy ? 

 Can you find the growing point within them ? 

 Is there any appearance of leaves within them [ 

 What are the size, color, and structure, of the bud 

 before swelling commences ? 



