224 



HUTCHINSON'S POPULAR BOTANY 



genus of evergreen shrubs, consisting of only four species, which bear 

 its flowers in much the same manner ; indeed, they have received on tha 

 account the appropriate name of Phyllocladus, from the Greek phullon, leal 

 and klados, a branch. They belong to the Cone-bearing order (CoiiAfene 

 and are natives of Borneo and New Zealand. Somewhat analogous to th> 

 leaf branches of this family are the flat two-edged membranous branche 

 of the Arrow-jointed Genista (G. sagittalis, fig. 284), a not uncommon plan 

 in English gardens. 



Branches which are arrested in their growth to form hard points an 

 known as thorns or spines. Thus the thorns of the Hawthorn (Gratosgu 

 oxyacantha. Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa, fig. 285), Spiny Rest-harro'v 

 (Ononis spinosa}, etc., are simply metamorphosed branches ; for the;; 

 contain, like true branches, fibro-vascular bundles. Under cultivation th< 

 thorns often disappear, and fruitful branches are borne in their stead a fac 

 which suggests the interesting inquiry, What. is the purpose of thorns ii 

 the economy of Nature ? Dr. Burnett offered an ingenious answer to thi 

 question upwards of seventy years ago, though possibly even he is indebte( 



Photo ly-\ 



[E. Step. 



FIG. 279. BRAMBLE (Rubus fruticosus). 

 A portion of a branch laden with its juicy fruit the ever-popular Blackberry. 



