126 LEAF-BUDS. 



106. But if it happens when the cutting is applied to the dissevered end 

 of another individual, called a stock, the roots are insinuated into the tissue 

 of the stock, and a plant is said to be grafted, the cutting heing called a 

 scion. 



107. There is, therefore, little difference between cuttings and scions, 

 except that the former root into the earth, the latter into another plant. 



108. But if a cutting of the same plant without a leaf-bud upon it be 

 placed in the same circumstances, it will not grow, but will die. 



109. Unless its vital powers are sufficient to enable it to develope an 

 adventitious leaf-bud (119). 



110. A leaf- bud separated from the stem will also become a new indi- 

 vidual, if its vital energy is sufficiently powerful. 



111. And this, whether it is planted in earth, into which it roots like a 

 cutting, or in a new individual, to which it adheres and grows like a scion. 

 In the former case it is called an eye, in the latter a bud. 



112. Every leaf-bud has, therefore, its own distinct system of life and 

 of growth. 



113. And as all the leaf- buds of an individual are exactly alike, it follows 

 that a plant is a collection of a great number of distinct identical systems 

 of life, and, consequently, a compound individual. 



114. Regular leaf-buds being generated in the axillae of the leaves, it Is 

 there that they are always to be sought. 



115. And if they cannot be discovered by ocular inspection, it may 

 nevertheless be always inferred with confidence that they exist in such 

 situations, and may possibly be called from their dormant state into life. 



116. Hence, wherever the scar of a leaf, or the remains of a leaf, can 

 be discovered, there it is to be understood that the rudiments exist of a 

 system of life which may be, by favourable circumstances, called into 

 action. 



117. Hence, all parts upon which leaves have ever grown may be made 

 use of for purposes of propagation. 



US. From these considerations it appears that the most direct analogy 

 between the Animal and Vegetable kingdoms is with the Polypi of the 

 former. 



119. Adventitious leaf-buds are in all respects like regular leaf-buds, 

 except that they are not formed at the axillae of leaves, but develope 

 occasionally from all and any part of a plant. 



120. They are occasionally produced by roots, by solid wood, or even by 

 leaves and flowers. 



121. Hence roots, solid wood, or even leaves and flowers, may be used 

 as means of propagation. 



122. But as the developement of adventitious buds is extremely uncer- 

 tain, such means of propagation can never be calculated on, and form no 

 part of the science of cultivation. 



123. The cause of the formation of adventitious leaf-buds is unknown. 



124. From certain experiments it appears that they may be generated by 

 sap in a state of great accumulation and activity. 



125. Consequently, whatever tends to the accumulation of sap in an 

 active state may be expected to be conducive to the formation of adventi 

 tious leaf-buds. 





