OEGANS OF NrXEITION. 



105 



prostrate branch, sent off from the base of the stem, and giving 

 off at its extremity leaves and roots, and thus producing a new 



Fig. 203. 



Fig. 203. A. portion of the common Strawberry plant, a'. An axis produc- 

 ing a tuft of leaves, r, at its extremity, from the axil of one of which 

 another axis or runner, a", arises, bearing a rudimentarj- leaf, /, near the 

 middle, and a cluster of leaves, r, at its cud. a. A third axis produced 

 in a similar manner to the former. /, /. Roots. 



plant, which extends itself in a similar manner. This is well 

 seen in the common Strawberry and Potentilla. 



b. The Offset. {Fig. 204). — This is a short, prostrate, more or 

 less thickened branch, which produces at its apex roots and a 

 tuft of leaves, and thus forms an inde- 

 pendent plant, which is capable of pi^ 204. 

 producing other offsets. It is seen in 

 the Houseleek. It differs very little 

 from the ordinary runner, except in 

 being shorter and somewhat thicker. 



c. The Stolon. — This is a branch 

 given off above the surface of the 

 ground, but which curves or proceeds 

 downwards towards it, and_ when it 

 reaches a moist spot it sends a root down- 

 wards and a stem upwards, and being 

 thus capable of acquiring nourishment independentlyof its parent 

 it ultimately forms anew indiridual. The Currant, Grooseberry. 

 and other plants, multiply in this way. All such plants are said 

 to be stoloniferous. Gardeners imitate this natural formation 

 of new individuals, when they lay down a branch into the earth, 

 from which a new plant is ultimately formed. This process is 

 technically called layerivg {fig. 205.) 



d. The Sucker. {Figs. 206 and 207.)— This is a branch which 

 arises from the stem below the surface of the earth, and which 

 after proceeding in a horizontal direction for a certain distance, 

 and giving off roots in its course, turns upwards into the air, 



Fig. 204. The offset of 

 Semperva-um. 



