THE DESCRIPTION OF A STEM. 



Unarmed : Without thorns or prickles of any kind. 



Many plants protect themselves by sharp-pointed hard growths, which 

 are usually either stunted branches as in the Hawthorn and the 

 Wild Plum, or developed from leaves as in the Barberry, or merely 

 outgrowths from the bark as in the Roses. Such growths are 

 commonly called, in the order of their size and strength, thorns, 

 spines, prickles and bristles, the last being similar to very coarse 

 hairs. 



Climbing : Rising by the support of other stems, walls, etc. Many 

 climbers take hold of their supports by means of tendrils. 



Twining : Climbing by winding around another stem. 



Trailing : Running along the ground. 



Prostrate : Lying flat on the ground. 



Reclining : Between prostrate and erect. 



Ascending : Rising slantingly from the ground. 



Straggling : Applied to weak stems, especially when spreading widely 

 from the root, and ascending or reclining. 



Stems grow from buds, which usually appear just above the petiole of a 

 leaf, i.e., in the axil of the leaf, or at the end of a stem or branch. 

 The buds are often distinctive marks, and differ very much in 

 different species. They are commonly covered by scales, but are 

 sometimes naked, as in the Viburnums. The flowers are some- 

 times produced from the same buds as the leaves, and sometimes 

 from distinct ones. The buds show the arrangement of leaves 

 when the latter are not present. 



The Bark of the Stem : An experienced eye can distinguish most of the 

 forest trees by the appearance of the bark and the form of trunk 

 and limbs, but it is very difficult to put into words the features 

 which make this possible. It must also be kept in mind that the 

 bark varies greatly witli the age of the tree, and often with the 

 conditions of soil and light under which it grows. Only general 

 hints can be given here as to color, roughness and texture, but 

 the student is urged to note carefully all such marks and to prac- 

 tise identification by their aid, especially in the winter season. 

 Whatever may be the means by which we first make their acquaint- 

 ance our aim should be to know the Trees at sight, as we know 

 other familiar friends. 



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