BUDS 



ISI 



Next draw a vertical section, then remove the contents and 

 see what they are. There will be no difficulty in recogniz- 

 ing the circle of young leaves just within 

 the scales. How many of these rudi- 

 mentary leaves are there .'' Is their 

 arrangement alternate or opposite .'' No- 

 tice the down with which they are covered 

 (in the horse-chestnut and buckeye). 

 Have the mature leaves of these plants 

 any covering of this sort.' What is its 

 use here ? 



254. Folding of the Leaves. — Notice 

 the manner in which the young leaves are 

 folded in the bud. This is called by 

 botanists vernation, or prefoliation, words 

 meaning respectively " spring condition " 

 and " condition preceding the leaf." 

 Leaves have to be packed in the bud so 

 as to occupy the least space possible, 

 and in different plants they will be found 

 folded in a great many different ways, as 

 is best suited to the shape and texture 

 of the leaf and the space available for it 

 in the bud. When doubled back and forth like a fan, or 

 crumpled and folded as in the buckeye, horse-chestnut, 

 and maple, the vernation is plicate (Fig. 332). 



255. Position of the Flower Cluster. — What do you find 

 within the circle of leaves .? Examine one of the smaller 

 axillary buds, and see if you find the same object within it. 

 If you are in any doubt as to what this object is, examine 

 a bud that is more expanded and you will have no difficulty 

 in recognizing it as a rudimentary flower cluster. Notice 

 its position with reference to the scales and leaves. Being 

 at the center of the bud, it will, of course, terminate its 

 axis when the bud expands, and the growth of the branch 

 will culminate in the flower. The branching of the buck- 

 eye (or horse-chestnut) must, then, be of what order .-' 



331. 332. — Buds of 

 maple: 331, vertical 

 section of a twig; 332, 

 cross section through 

 an end bud, showing 

 folded leaves in cen- 

 ter and scales sur- 

 rounding them. 



