10 DESCRIPTIVE BOTANY. PART I. 



gans of which a plant is composed are familiar to every 

 one. They are, the root, stem, branches, leaves, flowers, 

 &c. These organs may be conveniently grouped under 

 two heads, characterised by the nature of the functions 

 which they are severally destined to perform. The 

 root, stem, branches, leaves, and some other appendages 

 to each of these, are concerned in carrying on the func- 

 tion of nutrition, or that act by which the life of every 

 separate individual is maintained ; and these are, in 

 consequence, styled the " Conservative" organs. The 

 flower and fruit, with their various appendages, are 

 connected with the function of reproduction, by which 

 the continuance of the species is provided for ; and 

 these are, therefore, named the " Reproductive" organs. 



(10.) Con/ii-rriitin- Organs. The conservative or- 

 gans, again, may be separated into two series. Every 

 one is acquainted with the fact, that the stems of most 

 plants are above ground, and that they affect a more or 

 less erect position, and are constantly being developed 

 upwards, whilst the roots of most plants penetrate the 

 soil with an evident tendency downwards. An imagin- 

 ary plane, intersecting the plant at the point whence 

 these opposite tendencies originate, is called the neck : 

 the stem, and the various organs which accompany it, 

 are styled the " ascendirtg," and the root and its ap- 

 pendages the te descending" series. But these defin- 

 itions do not exactly represent the truth, since there are 

 certain stems which are strictly subterranean, and have 

 a tendency to creep below the surface of the soil ; whilst 

 there are also certain roots which are aerial, and some 

 of these scarcely indicate any downward tendency. The 

 terms employed in defining the two series must, there- 

 fore, be considered as indicating certain facts, which are 

 very generally, though not universally, applicable to the 

 several organs included under each. 



(11.) 2{<-/irfi active Organs. The reproductive or- 

 gans may also be classed under two series. The first 

 is the " Inflorescence," which includes the flower and 

 the various appendages to that part of the stem on 



