114 



logical axis, i. e. tendril, is displaced by one of the axillary 

 buds growing to an apparent axis, it would naturally in 

 yielding to pressure tend to move away from the bud thus 

 crowding it. Exactly opposite however lies the other axillary 

 bud i. e. of the developing branch which would of course offer 

 a considerable obstacle, the result being that the morpholo- 

 gical axis following the direction of least resistance would be 

 displaced obliquely and assume just the position of the tendril 

 in lodes. (See PL XIX Fig. 4). This would show clearly why the 

 tendrils always occur on the side toward the developed, never 

 that of the aborted, buds. 



Investigation of the vegetative points shows that the aborted 

 buds do not arise with the other members but appear 

 much later , a circumstance which would certainly accord well 

 with their supposed supernumerary character. In other respects 

 however the evidence derived by the author from growing 

 points taken from the vegetative parts of the plant was of a 

 rather negative character. In no case was the tendril found 

 to be terminal , the apparent axis occupying the apex from its 

 earliest stages. 



The facts being as presented and more decisive evidence for 

 either view being absent, it will never-the-less be seen that 

 the sympodial theory, while offering no theoretical difficulties , 

 furnishes ready practical explanations of several morphological 

 features of the stem, which on the ground of a monopodial 

 structure remain entirely unaccountable. 



lodes ovalis Bl. 



which is also a native of Java, stands systematically very 

 near /. tomentella , Miq. In fact Baillon in his Monograph of the 

 Phytocreneae ') even regards the two as varieties of one and 

 the same species. Morphologically also tlie two plants show 

 great similarity. In /. ovalis, it is true, there are often more 



1) De Candolle's Prodromus vol. XVII p. 22. 



