LECT. VI.] THE STEM. ITS DIRECTION. 251 



difference is more imaginary than real; for, 

 if they cannot enter into crevices, they stretch 

 down towards the earth to a considerable ex- 

 tent; for if a shoot of Ivy happen to lie 

 upon the ground, the radicles, which would 

 have remained short had it ascended the wall, 

 extend into real absorbing roots (see fig. g y 

 2, a b). They are, also, always protruded from 

 that side of the stem which is farthest from 

 the light and air, <and consequently the 

 moistest; and, thence, the opinion that they 

 do not absorb is at least problematical. 



c. Climbing (scandens), when it is fur- 

 nished with tendrils, which are filiform spiral 

 appendages, that twine round the branches 

 and twigs of upright plants ; which are thus 

 enabled to elevate their foliage and fructifica- 

 tion: as in the Vine, Vitis vinifera, and all 

 the species of Passion-flower, Passiflora, &c. 

 In some climbing plants, which are not fur- 

 nished with tendrils, as for instance, purple 

 Virgins Bower, Clematis viticella, and Bitter- 

 sweet, Solanum Dulcamara, the petioles or 



phys. and system. Botany, p. 118). Linnaeus, on the contrary 

 (Phil. Bot. 82, p. 8), seems to have confounded the creeping 

 with the climbing radicating stems, in the following defini- 

 tion : " Repens radiculas hinc exserens procumbendo ; Hedera, 

 " Bignonia." 



