70 



LETTERS ON TREES. 



6. On each returning Spring, we see the buds on 

 the stems of the previous year first sweUing and after- 

 wards sending out new stems, which in themselves 

 and in their appurtenances are precisely similar to 

 those which the seeds send up. Like them, they are 

 furnished with leaves and roots, they form buds, and 

 they put forth flowers and bear seed. Now, in this 

 annual formation we have, as the produce of the buds, 

 all the parts that are essential to the constitution of 

 perfect plants ; and, while the plants which thus issue 

 from the buds produce buds in their turn for the evo- 

 lution next year on the same tree of other like plants, 

 they produce seeds also for the evolution elsewhere of 

 precisely similar plants. 



7. The fact that the buds in question evolve the seed, 

 — that, while they give rise to other structures in every 

 respect identical with those which come of the seed, they 

 are themselves adequate to the production of the seed, 

 — this, to my mind, is proof sufficient that the buds are 

 physiologically co-ordinate with the seed, and that 

 their produce is equally with that of the seed entitled 

 to be regarded as distinct plants. In order, however, 

 the more fully to demonstrate the accuracy of this 

 assumption, — in order the better to satisfy you as to 

 the proper individuality of each and all of the growths 

 thus formed bv the buds of trees, and their claim 

 rightfully to be regarded as perfect plants, — and like- 

 wise as to the capacity of each of them to reproduce 



