360 MR. H. M. CHIBBER ON THE MORPHOLOGY 
is formed, the axillary bud develops into a branch as vigorous as the parent 
branch. Thus we get a forked shoot with a common stalk (portion a to b in 
the figure). 
Such forks constitute the prevailing form of these branches. Variations, 
however, are not uncommon: one of these consists in the secondary branch 
of the fork placing itself in a line with the mother-axis, thereby forming a 
sympodial joint. ‘This sympodial joint differs from the ordinary sympodial 
joints in the continued growth of the main axis into a foliage- bearing branch, 
instead of into a normal or vestigial inflorescence. 
Should growth be vigorous, another variation may be found. This consists 
in a lateral braneh system behaving like the leader in the following manner. 
After it has taken its start, like all branches, with the formation of the first 
short internode and the sheathing leaf at the node just succeeding it, 
it continues to grow as a monopodial branch, though very much zigzag, 
with fully elongated internodes and normal broad distichous leaves at the 
nodes for eight or nine joints. From a number of these joints in regular 
succession, starting from the very first normal leaf, branches arise ; these 
from the beginning are typically sympodial. The primary branch further 
agrees with the leader in developing adhering roots; but this development is 
very occasional. Another variation is just the reverse of the last one. In 
this ease the lateral remains a single shoot, the secondary branch which 
constitutes a side shoot being absent. Such single branches are very 
common; in fact, where growth is not quite satisfactory, such single 
branches are the most prevalent. Occasionally other variations occur. 
Ground Branches.—These agree in structure with the middle and top 
branches, but are differentiated from them by the following developmental 
peculiarities, 
The long internodes are greatly stunted in their growth (Pl. 17. fig. 12). 
Their basal portions get tumid : the swelling is most pronounced on the 
under side and causes the part above the swelling to erect itself, as is found 
in а Polygonum; their disposition is outwards and upwards. These branches 
have always a dendroid look. They branch freely, which helps to intensify 
the dendroid appearance, as do their stunted dark thick leaves of inverted 
saucer-like shape. The short internodes here more regularly alternate with 
the long ones. Two branches may appear to start from one node; they 
really start from the two nodes approximated on either side of the abbreviated 
internode. The floral development, though provided for in the sympodial 
structure, is invariably arrested. From their proximity to the ground, one 
would expect profuse development of roots at the nodes. Nothing of the 
kind, however, is to be found. This fact appears to be the more striking 
when one sees the leader giving off from its nodes, 6 inches or even more 
above the ground, roots that are able to descend to the soil. 
The following points, as regards branching, may be summarized from the 
