12 LEAVES. 



it is employed in grafting or inoculating, -vrhich is performed by cutting into the 

 bark of another tree, and placing a bud in tlie aperture. The sap from the tree 

 soon begins to stimulate the bud ; in time it puts forth leaves and branches, and 

 bears fruit peculiar to the tree from wlionce it was taken. Fig. 35 shows a branch 

 of the Daphne mezereum ; the terminal bud at a is a leaf-bud, while the lateral 

 buds axQ fou'cr-bcarbig ones. We see at Fig. 36, A, a branch of the lilac {Si/ringa 

 vulgaris), bearing the mixed buds ; they are opposite, and covered with a scaly en- 

 velope. B is the same cut vertically in order to show the thyrse of flowers formed 

 in the buds in autumn.* 



1). Leaf-buds, if taken from the tree and planted in the earth, 

 will grow, and put forth roots ; but flower-buds in the same 

 situation will perish. A striking analogy exists between buds 

 and seeds, as between buds and roots. When buds make 

 their appearance from any other part than the nodes^ ^^^J 

 are termed adventitious^ irregular or abnormal buds. Such ir- 

 regularities sometimes appear upon the roots, and even the 

 margin of leaves. 



c. We have now seen the manner in which buds commence their existence, and 

 how they gradually unfold themselves, until they become in their turn branches 

 covered with leaves and flowers. In considering this subject, we are impressed with 

 a sense of the goodness of that great Being who watches with unceasing care over 

 his vast creation. A bud lives, an infant lives ; both are destined to grow, and 

 to pass through physical changes : but the bud, although active with a principle 

 of life, knows not its own existence ; while the infant becomes conscious of its own 

 powers and faculties, capable of loving those who have contributed to its well- 

 being, and especially of adoring the great Author of its existence. It is delightful, 

 while gratifying our love of knowledge, by inquiring into the economy of nature, to 

 be met at every step with new pi-oofs of the goodness and wisdom of its great 

 Author. To discover the character of the Deity, should indeed be the end and 

 aim of all knowledge ; and should an occasional digression from our subject retard 

 our botanical investigations, the loss would be slight compared to the gain of one 

 pious sentiment or devout aspiration. When we become so deeply engaged in 

 philosophical speculations, as to forget Him whose works we study, we wander 

 from the path of true knowledge. It was not thus that Newton studied the laws 

 of matter, Locke and Watts the laws of mind, and Paley the animal and vegetable 

 physiology ; these great and good men made their rich treasures of knowledge 

 subservient to one great design — that of learning the character of God and their 

 duty to Him, and of instructing their fellow-men in the sublime and important 

 truths communicated in Divine revelation. 



LECTUEE IX. 



LEAVES. 



49. The i^rm. pTiyllotaxis signifies leaf-arrram,gement. Leaves 

 arise from the nodes of the stem, and new buds are formed in 



* I have this day, November 24, 1328, examined the buds of a vigorous lilac, and find, on cutting 

 one vertically, the thyrse of flowers very apparent to the naked eye, and of nearly the size repr^senter" 

 in the cut. • 



Fig. 35, leaf-bud — Fig. 36, mixed-bud — h. Analogies — Adventitious buds — c. Reflections— Compari- 

 son — Difference— The goodness of God particularly manifested towards the human race — Philosoplii* 

 cal speculations sliould not lead us to forget the Author of nature.— 49. Phyllotaxis. 



