12 
LEAVES. 
it is employed in grafting or inoculating, which is performed by cutting into the 
bark of another tree, and placing a bud in the aperture. The sap from the tree 
soon begins to stimulate the bud ; in time it puts forth leave? and branches, and 
bears fruit peculiar to the tree from whence it was taken. Fig. 35 sliows a branch 
of the Daj)h7ie mezereum ; the terminal bud at a is a leaf-bud, while the lateral 
buds are f ower-hearing ones. We see at Fig. 86, A, a branch of the lilac {Syringa 
vulgaris), bearing the mixed buds ; they are opposite, and covered with a scaly en- 
velope. B is the same cut vertically in order to show the thyrse of flowers formed 
in the buds in autumn.* 
h. Leaf-buds, if taken from the tree and planted in the earth, 
v'ill grow, and put forth roots ; but flower-buds in the same 
situation will perish. A striking analogy exists between buds 
and seeds, as between buds and roots. When buds make 
their appearance from any other part than the nodes^ they 
are termed advenUtious^ irregular or abnormal buds. Such ir- 
regularities sometimes appear upon the roots, and even the 
margin of leaves. 
c. We have now seen the manner in which buds commence their existence, ana 
how they gradually unfold themselves, until they become in their turn branches 
covered with leaves and flowers. In considering this subject, we are impressed with 
a sense of the goodness of that great Being who watches with unceasing care over 
his vast creation. A bud lives, an infant lives ; both are destined to grow, and 
to pass through physical changes : but the bud, although active with a principle 
of life, knows not its own existence ; while the infant becomes conscious of its own 
powers and faculties, capable of loving those who have contributed to its well- 
being, and especially of adoring the great Author of its existence. It is delightful, 
while gratifying our love of knowledge, by inquiring into the economy of nature, to 
be met at every step with new proofs of the goodness and wisdom of its great 
Author. To discover the character of the Deity, should indeed be the end and 
aim of all knowledge ; and should an occasional digression from our subject retard 
our botanical investigations, tlie loss would be slight compared to the gain of one 
pious sentiment or devout aspiration. When we become so deeply engaged in 
philosophical speculations, as to forget Him whose works we study, we wander 
from the path of true knowledge. It was not thus that Newton studied the laws 
of matter, Locke and Watts the laws of mind, and Paley the animal and vegetable 
physiology ; these great and good men made their rich treasures of knowledge 
subservient to one great design — that of learning the character of God and their 
duty to Him, and of instructing their fellow-men in the sublime and important 
truths communicated m Divine revelation. 
LECTUEE IX. 
LEAVES. 
49. The term pliyllotaxis signifies leaf-a/rrangement. Leaves 
arise from the nodes of the stem, and neW buds are formed in 
* I have this day, November 24, 1828, examined the buds of a vigorous lilac, and find, on cutting 
one vertically, the thyrse of flowers very apparent to the naked eye, and of nearly the size representef* 
n the cut. 
Fig. 35, leaf-bud— Fig. 36, mixed-bud— J. Analogies— Adventitious buds— c. Reflections -Con> pari- 
ion— Difference— The goodness of God particularly manifested towards the human race- Pliilosophi- 
eal speculations should not lead us to forget tU'j Author of nature.— 49. Phyllotaxis. 
