128 



MANUAL OF BOTANY 



relatively few large, often pinnate, leaves. In some ferns the 

 stem branches normally, the branch system being lateral and not 

 dichotomous as in the lower groups ; in others the branching is 



Fig. 884. 



Fig. 885. 



L-P^- 



en. 



Fig. 884. Polystelic stem of Fern. st. Steles, sc. Bauds of sclerencbyma. 



hy. Hypodermal sclerenchyma. ep. Epidermis. Fig. 885. Stele of stem 



of Fern, composed of tliree fused concentric bundles, en. Eudodermis. 

 2)6. Pericyle. ph. Phloem, px. Groups of protoxylem. 



adventitious. The roots are alwaj's adventitious, for though a 

 primary root is always developed it never persists in the adult 

 fern. The adventitious roots are small and often branched, 

 arising in great numbers from the stem or the leaf stalks. The 



