Ch VII.) BUDS. _ 45 
the swelling of the germ: and as for this purpose the agency 
of an additional quantity of sap is needed, we see the bud ap- 
pearing at the axils of leaves, or the extremities of branches 
and stems, where there is an accumulation of this fluid. If you 
plant a slip of Geranium, you will observe that it either sprouts 
from the axil of a leaf, or from knots in the stem which answer 
the same purpose as the leaf, by slightly interrupting the cir- 
culation of juices, and thus affording an accumulation of sap 
necessary for the production of a new shoot. 
166. Herbs and shrubs have buds, which usually g1>w and 
unfold themselves in the same season, and are destitute ot 
scales ; while the buds of trees are not perfected in less than 
two seasons, and in some cases they require years for their full 
development. 
167. You have, no doubt, observed in the spring, the rapid 
growth of the leaves and branches of trees; and perhaps, have 
also noticed, that as summer advances, the progress of vegeta- 
tion seems almost to cease, and that new leaves and branches 
do not come forth as before ; but you may not have known, that 
instead of resting in her operations, nature is now busy in pro- 
viding for the next year; that she is turning the vital energies 
of the plants to the formation of buds. Those little embryo 
plants, so nicely wrapped up in downy scales as to be able to 
bear the coldness of the winter, in the ensuing spring will come 
forth from their snug retreats, and taking the places of the leaves 
which had withered in autumn, will delight us with new ver- 
dure and beauty. 
168. You may here see a representation of two 
Fig. 26. scaly buds: one of which appears as if cut vertical- 
‘ ly, in order to show the germ or embryo, which is 
enfolded by the scales. 
169. The term bud, in common language, ex- 
tends to the rudiments of all plants, whether with 
scales or without, which originate upon other living 
plants. Buds with scaly coverings are chiefly con- 
fined to the trees of cold countries. In the northern 
part of the United States, there are few trees which 
ean endure the cold weather, without this pecuuy In Swe- 
den, it is said, there is but one shrub* destitute of scaly buds, 
+ A species of Rhamnus, which grows under trees in marshy forests. 
166. Do herbs and shrubs have buds ? 
167. At what period of the year are buds formed ? 
168. What does Fig. 26 represent? 
‘ i In what countries are the trees mostly furnished with scaly 
i ds 2 
