28 



LETTERS ON TREES. 



seeds and buds are in their own essential nature ide7i' 

 tical. the onlv difference between them — and that not 

 a uniform one — being, that seeds are free, detached, 

 isolated, and intended for dispersion — buds fixed and 

 adherent to the stem on which they grew. 



6. If now, in regard to any given tree, or kind of 

 tree, it be asked, How long does it naturally Uve? " 

 the proper answer will be (contrary, however, to the 

 common behef ), that there is no set limit to the age it 

 may attain, or the number of years it may Uve, and 

 no actual limit other than that resulting from purely 

 accidental or extraneous causes ; because, according to 

 the theory now advanced as to the nature of trees, 

 there is no natural Hmit to the annual propagation 

 from buds of the individual plants composing the tree. 

 According to this view, the observation of Richard 

 (formerly quoted) — to wit, that the Cedars of Lebanon 

 appear to be ^' indestructible " — is perfectly intelhgible, 

 involves no violation of the principle that all living 

 beings are subject to the law and the dominion of 

 death, and is applicable, besides, to all trees. 



7. And if it be asked, in respect of any given tree, 

 " What is the size to which it naturally grows ?" the 

 proper answer will be (contrary, again, to the popular 

 behef), that there is no determinate hmit thereto, and 

 no actual hmit, except from such extrinsic causes as 

 may prevent the formation of buds, or the evolution 

 from them of new plants. 



