THE STEM. 



21 



Parsley, and many others of this tribe, present examples. 

 The Trumpet tree of the West Indies, (Cecropia peltata,) has 

 not only a hollow stem, but all its branches are tubes. This 

 tree grows to the height of thirty, or forty feet, and is 

 of a proportionate diameter. The interior is divided into 

 compartments by transverse membranous partitions. The 

 branches being cleared of these partitions, are employed for 

 wind instruments, arid hence its name, Trumpet tree. 



Simple Stem, (Caulis simplex.) This merely signifies that 

 ,he stem is not branched, as in the Lily and Bamboo. 



Branched Stem, (Caulis ramosus.) Of this 

 there are several kinds, as Brachiate, having 

 arms, which alternately cross each other, Fig. 

 15. Dichotomous, forked, when the divisions 

 are only in two parts. Much branched, as in 

 the Apple, and Pear-tree. 



Fig. 15. 



Naked Stem, (Caulis nudus.) This is a 

 stem without leaves or thorns. Ex. Jointed 

 Saltwort, (Salicornia herbacea,) Fig. 16. This 

 plant grows on the sea shore, and is common 

 in this country. Stem about a foot high, 

 fleshy, green, and jointed. There are several 

 species, all of which are burned for the purpose 

 of obtaining the soda of commerce. For this 

 purpose the plants are collected, dried, and 

 reduced to ashes. The ashes being lixiviated, the water con 

 tains the soda in solution, which is obtained by subsequent 

 evaporation. This plant is also pickled in salt and vinegar, 

 like samphire, for culinary purposes. 



What is a simple stem 1 What is a branched, and what a naked stem ? 

 What is an example of a naked stem ? 



