Concerning the Capacity of Foliage Leaves to Withstand Wounding

Foliage leaves are peculiarly liable to injury. From the nature of their work they are denied the protection given to older stems and larger roots. Their delicate structure not only invites insects, larvae, and other plant eating animals, but subjects them to repeated injury by purely mechanical agencies. Observation of leaves as they are found torn and mutilated in nature shows that they possess considerable power of adjustment to wounds and injuries