SUMMARY 233 



Evergreen leaves differ greatly in length of life. 

 Some remain on the tree for several years ; for instance, 

 in the Scotch Fir, three or four years; the Spruce 

 and Silver Fir, six, seven, or even eight; the Yew, 

 eight ; Abies Pinsc^o, sixteen or seventeen ; Arau- 

 caria, even longer. It is true that during the later 

 years they gradually dry and wither; still, being so 

 long-lived, they naturally require special protection. 

 They are, as a general rule, tough, and even leathery. 



Thus, then, I have endeavoured to answer Vaucher's 

 question to explain, at any rate, in some cases the 

 presence, the uses, and the forms of stipules, and the 

 structure of buds in some of our common trees, shrubs, 

 and herbs. 



If I shall have induced any of my readers to look 

 at them for themselves in the coming spring they will, 

 I am sure, be amply rewarded. 



They will often be reminded of Tennyson's profound 

 remark about Nature : 



So careless of the single life, 

 So careful of the type she seems, 



and will be more and more struck with wonder and 

 admiration at the variety and beauty of the provisions 

 by which Nature preserves these tender and precious 

 buds from the severity of winter, and prepares with 

 loving care and rich profusion for the bright promise 

 of spring and the glorious pageant of summer. 



