CHAPTER XI 



THE FORMS OF PLANTS 



137. Although the form of the branch, and to som< 

 extent the entire plant, is determined by a struggle wit! 

 the conditions in which it grows, nevertheless each kinc 

 of plant has its own peculiar habit of growth. The lum 



111. Different forms of trees. 



berman distinguishes the kinds of trees by their "looks/ 

 rather than by their leaves or flowers, as the botanist does 

 The farmer usually does the same with his cultivated plants 

 138. The habit of a plant is determined by its size 

 general style or direction of growth, form of head, and methoc 

 of branching. The general style or stature 

 of plants has been mentioned in Chaptej 

 III they may be erect, strict, creeping 

 decumbent, and the like. The shape o: 

 the top or head is well illustrated in trees 

 Note the general effect of the mass, as 

 seen at a distance. The elm is vase-forn 

 or round-headed. (Fig. 111.) So are maple 

 beech, and apple trees. The Lombard} 

 poplar (Fig. 112) is columnar or fastigiate 

 Young spruces and firs are conical 

 (64) 



112. Round-headed and 

 fastigiate trees. 



