MODIFIED STEMS. 



77 



ified into a single leaf-like organ, as in the 

 case of certain aquatics, in which case it 

 is known as a Frondose Stem (Fig. 377a). 

 Upon the other hand, separate portions of 

 the stem or separate "branches thereof may 



leaf performs the ordinary offices of a 

 stem and important storage functions as 

 well, as in the case of the Opuntia (Fig. 

 379). Such stems are called Consoli- 

 dated. 



Besides such specially modified 

 become thus modified, as in the case of the forms, a number of ordinary forms are 

 so called "leaves'' of the species of As- characterized by the adjectives Terete, 



paragus cultivated as a decorative plant 

 under the name of Smilax (Fig. 378; a, 

 leaf; b, branch). Sometimes a stem or a 



Cylindrical, Compressed, Triangular, 

 Quadrangular, Alate or Winged, Costate 

 or Ribbed, Chanelled, Striate and so on. 



joint of one, at the same time that it be- In this connection the terms applicable to 

 comes modified to perform the office of a the superficial characters of barks al- 



