252 CONSERVATIVE ORGANS. [LECT. VI. 







footstalks of the leaves serve the purpose of 

 tendrils, and twine round the props upon which 

 the plants climb. 



5. DECUMBENT (decumbens) is a term given 

 to a stem when it rises a little upright at its 

 base ; but has its upper portion bent down towards 

 the ground, so that the greater part of it is 

 procumbent. 



6. PROCUMBENT (procumbens, prostratus, hu- 

 mifusus) implies that the stem, being too weak 

 to support itself, lies flat on the ground * ; as 

 in Bearberry, Arbutus uv a ursi, Scarlet Pimpernel, 

 Anagallis arvensis, c. Many procumbent stems 

 throw out roots from the under surface, thereby 

 receiving nourishment in their progression ; and 

 this circumstance constitutes a variety, which 

 has been denominated 



a. Creeping (repem) (fig. h). It denotes 



* " Procumbent, horizontaliter supra terram." Phil. Bot> 

 82, p. 7. 



