THE LEAF-BUD. 



43 



INTENT. In the former case they are unfolded into branches at once, or 

 in the spring following their formation. But latent buds suspend their 

 activities from year to year, or perhaps are never quickened into 

 growth. 



203. Axillary buds become terminal so soon as their development 

 fairly commences, therefore each branch also has a terminal bud, and, 

 like the main axis, is capable of extending its growth as long as that 

 bud remains unharmed. If it be destroyed by violence or frost, or 

 should it be transformed into a flower-bud, the growth in that direction 

 forever ceases. 



204. The suppression of axillary buds tends, of course, to sim- 

 plify the form of the plant. Their total suppression during the first 

 year's growth of the terminal bud is common, as in the annual stem of 

 mullein and in most perennial stems. When axillary buds remain per- 

 manently latent, and only the terminal bud unfolds year after year, a 

 simple, branchless trunk, crowned with a solitary tuft of leaves, is the 

 result, as in the palmetto of our 

 southern borders. 



205. A PARTIAL SnPPKBSSION OP 



BUDS occurs in almost all species, and 

 generally in some definite order. In 

 plants with opposite leaves, sometimes 

 one bud of the pair at each node is de- 

 veloped and the other is suppressed, as 

 in the -pink tribe (Caryophyllace^). 

 When both buds are developed, the 

 branches, appearing in pairs like arms, 

 are said to be brachiate, as in theLabiatse. 

 In many tress the terminal buds are ar- 

 rested by inflorescence each season, and 

 the growth is continued by axillary buds 

 alone, as in the Catalpa and horse-chest- 

 nut. In all trees, indeed, buds are sup- 

 pressed more or less, from various causes, 

 disguising at length the intended sym- 

 metry of the branches, to the utter con- 

 fusion of twigs and spray. 



206. Accessory buds, one or more, 

 are sometimes found just above the true 

 axillary bud, or clustered with it, and 

 only distinguishe'd from it by their 

 smaller size : as in the cherry and honey- 

 suckle. 



69, Hypericum Sarotlira, with brachiiite 

 branches. 70, Pink (Dianthus)— axillary buds 

 alternately suppreised. 



207. Adventitious or accidental buds are such as are neither ter- 

 minal nor axillary. They occasionally appear on any part of the 



