146 ORIGIN OF BUDS. 



This figure shows, that the lateral shoots, d, c?, (/, d> 

 and new layer of wood, b, b, on the lower part of the 

 stem of the present year, are not attached to each 

 other ; and that the growth of the former can only 

 affect that of the latter indirectly ; nor can they (the 

 shoots, d, d) d, d, except the leading one, c,) be sup- 

 posed to assist the formation of the new zone of 

 wood by ejecting fibres down into it ; because their 

 fibrous attachment is upon the alburnum, as at e, e, 

 Fig. 47 ; that is, upon that division of the envelope 

 which was formed into alburnum in the previous 

 year. 



The young shoots which are elongated and bear 

 the foliage of deciduous trees, are pretty regularly 

 studded with buds along their whole length, though 

 only a small number of them are developed in sue- 

 ceeding years. A few at the point always burst, 

 namely, the leader and two or three laterals, part of 

 the latter being resolved into branches. Some of 

 the lower situated are prolonged into spurs, and 

 become flower buds, as at^J g, Fig. 47 ; many remain 

 dormant, and are never developed unless the stem 

 be cut over immediately above their station. 



From these circumstances it appears, in respect 

 of secondary or tertiary buds springing fr*om the 

 vital envelope, that that member is possessed of 

 these latent principles, which are put forth when 

 surrounding circumstances favour their develop- 

 ment. It was this fact which induced an emi- 

 nent French botanist to imagine, hat vital gems 



