THE LEAF 83 



white hairs, so that they appear to be wrapped up in 

 cotton-wool. 



Watch the buds through the winter and in early 

 spring. Notice how on sunny days they glisten owing 

 to the warmth melting the resinous coating. When 

 spring sets in, trace the gradual swelling of the buds and 

 how finally the scales are burst open, and the young 

 tender leaves emerge from their long rest. 



Make similar observations on the sycamore, apple, 

 and any other trees near to hand. Sketch carefully 

 buds in the resting conditions, when half opened, and 

 again after the young leaves have expanded. 



Examine again the underground stems of artichoke 

 and iris, and observe the thin, dry scale leaves. In 

 some kinds of potatoes similar scale leaves are well 

 shown, but in most ordinary potatoes they are almost 

 entirely absent. Note how they enwrap the delicate, 

 young, growing points the buds. 



Make similar observations on crocus or gladiolus 

 corms, cutting them through lengthways and across, and 

 noting how the dry scale leaves wrap over and protect 

 the delicate white buds containing the ordinary leaves 

 and flowers. Make sketches to illustrate your observa- 

 tions. 



Examine a plant of onion whilst it still has green 

 leaves. Note how it is wrapped round by a number of 

 dry scales. Look at the fresh leaves, notice what their 

 lower portions are like, and see that in reality the whole 

 onion bulb is composed of the thickened bases of leaves, 

 some of which are already above ground and green, 

 whilst the younger ones are contained in the centra 



