98 Introduction to Botany. 



adjusted to its size, position on the stem, and the habit and 

 habitat of the plant. Indeed, it may be taken for granted 

 that any member of an organism so important to the life 

 of the individual and the continuance of the species as the 

 leaf is would not be apt to show marked variations not in 

 some way correlated with its functions. 



77. Characterization of Leaves. While the leaf is an 

 outgrowth from the stem it does not grow indefinitely as 

 stems do, but soon attains its maximum size. It seems 

 impossible to formulate a definition that will clearly apply 

 to all leaves ; as a general characterization we might say, 

 however, that leaves are lateral outgrowths, having buds 

 or branches in their axils, arising in definite succession on 

 a stem, limited in growth, and having for their chief 

 function the manufacture of the plant's food. * 



