78 TKEES IN WINTER. 



the trees become as beautiful and as distinctive in 

 their winter clothing as when they are leafy and 

 green. 



If we examine a branch early in the summer, 

 we shall find that the growth of the next season's 

 buds has already begun. At the ends of the 

 branches and in the leaf-axils the new buds are 

 forming, to be completed and covered with some 

 protective envelope in the fall. Through the bitter 

 winter they remain thus, safely covered from wet, 

 and protected from the changes of the season. 

 Let us examine some of the protective contriv- 

 ances of the buds. 



Many leaves in the bud are invested completely 

 in a garment of wool or down, which is a non- 

 conductor, and saves them from being exposed to 

 sudden changes. Young Horsechestnut leaves are 

 thus densely clothed with wool, and the young 

 leaves of the Beech are covered with silky hairs 

 (Fig. 19). Sometimes the bud-scales are lined with 

 down, as are the inner scales of the Red Maple. 



The buds are usually covered by scales, which 

 consist of leaves, stipules, or flower-stalks, modi- 

 fied for the purpose of protection. In the Lilac the 

 scales pass so gradually into leaves, that it is hard 

 to draw any distinction between them (Fig. 14). 



