42 THE STEM. 
bable, undergo some change in their passage through 
stem. 
125. Almost all phenogamic or flowering vegetables a 
provided with stems. Those which are destitute of it, or i 
which it does not distinctly appear, are called Acaules,* 
the Cowslip (Primula veris). The organ which, in the C 
slip and Lily, appears to be the stem, is not a true stem, 
bears no leaves, but merely a flower-stalk springing from 
root, and is called a scape (scapus). 
_ 126. With regard to function, all that part of the plaz 
tween the radicles and the leaves is stem, so that every 
is provided with a stem. In bulbous plants the bulb i 
stem: it is the part which intervenes between the root 
fibres) and the leaves and flowers. When we con 
merely their appearance, the stem and branches appear 
materially different ; but if we attend to the structure 
functions of these organs, it will be perceived that th 
material difference between them; the organization,, 
__ of formation, and office, being exactly the same; th 
_ being merely productions of the stem, disposed in 
liar form for the purpose of exposing a greater 
: leaves to the action of air and light. 
dunculus and the scapus belong to the reproductive 
_and the petiolus may be considered a part of the 
= A eee place, cay the: cuslin, <oltnan, Sama t 
need be alluded to. 
128. This, tie pal common kind of stem, 
onde of roe sn the slit of pole an 
eS. : 
