26 LEAF-BUDS. 



There is, therefore, little difference between 

 cuttings and scions, except that the former root 

 into the earth, the latter into another plant. 



But if a cutting of the same plant without a 

 leaf-bud upon it be placed in the same circum- 

 stances, it will not grow, but will die. 



Unless its vital powers are sufficient to enable 

 it to develope an adventitious leaf-bud. 



A leaf-bud separated from the stem will also 

 become a new individual, if its vital energy is 

 sufficiently powerful. 



And this, whether it is planted in earth, into 

 which it roots, like a cutting, or in a new in- 

 dividual to which it adheres and grows like a 

 scion. In the former case it is called an eye^ 

 in the latter a hud. 



Every leaf-bud has, therefore, its own dis- 

 tinct system of life, and of growth. 



And as all the leaf-buds of an individual are 

 exactly alike, it follows that a plant is a collec- 

 tion of a great number of distinct identical 

 systems of life, and consequently a compound 

 individual. 



Regular leaf-buds being generated in the 

 axils of the leaves, it is there that they are 

 always to be sought. 



And if they cannot be discovered by ocular 



