the
Locust, the Yellow-wood, or more strikingly in the Button-wood or
Plane-tree (Fig. 74).

[Illustration: Fig. 74. An axillary bud, concealed under the hollowed
base of the leaf-stalk, in Buttonwood or Plane-tree.]

50. The _leaf-scars_, so conspicuous in Fig. 72, 73, under each axillary
bud, mark the place where the stalk of the subtending leaf was attached
until it fell in autumn.

51. =Scaly Buds=, which are well represented in Fig. 72, 73, commonly
belong to trees and shrubs of countries in which growth is suspended
during winter. The scaly coverings protect the tender young parts
beneath, not so much by keeping out the cold, which of course would
penetrate the bud in time, as by shielding the interior from the effects
of sudden changes. There are all gradations between these and

52. =Naked Buds=, in which these scales are inconspicuous or wanting, as
in most herbs, at least above ground, and most tropical trees and
shrubs. But nearly related plants of the same climate may differ widely
in this respect. Rhododendrons have strong and scaly winter-buds; while
in Kalmia they are naked. One species of Viburnum, the Hobble-bush, has
completely naked buds, what would be a pair of scales developing into
the first leaves in spring; while another (the Snowball) has conspicuous
scaly buds.

53. =Vigor of Vegetation from strong buds.= Large and strong buds, like
those of the Horse-chestnut, Hickory, and the like, contain several
leaves, or pairs of leaves, ready formed, folded and packed away in
small compass, just as the seed-leaves of a strong embryo are packed
away in the seed: they may even contain all the blossoms of the ensuing
season, plainly visible as small buds. And the stems upon which these
buds rest are filled with abundant nourishment, which was deposited the
summer before in the wood or in the bark. Under the surface of the
soil, or on it covered with the fallen leaves of autumn, similar strong
buds of our perennial herbs may be found; while beneath are thick roots,
rootstocks, or tubers, charged with a great store of nourishment for
their use. This explains how it is that vegetation from such buds shoots
forth so vigorously in the spring of the year, and clothes the bare and
lately frozen surface of the soil, as well as the naked boughs of trees,
very promptly with a covering of fresh green, and often with brilliant
blossoms. Everything was prepared, and even formed, beforehand: the
short joints of ste