LECT. VI.] THE STEM. ITS DIVISIONS. 255 



then termed very simple (simplidssimus) ; as in 

 Bistort, Polygonum bistort a, the Date Palm, 

 Phoenix tkctylifera, &c. 



2. The DIVIDED stem, owing to the parts into 

 which it divides being termed branches (rami), is 

 denominated branched (ramosus *) ; and the 

 manner in which this is effected produces diver- 

 sities in the general aspect of plants of great 

 importance to the systematic Botanist. It af- 

 fords, also, a kind of physiognomical character 

 to each species, by which it is immediately re- 

 cognizable to the eye of observation ; and the 

 perceiving this character, and retaining a clear 

 impression of the perception in the memory, ought 

 to be strictly attended to by the student. It af- 

 fords him a sure guide to the more particular ex- 

 amination of vegetable nature; associating the 

 minute characteristics of each species so closely 

 with its general features, as to call those up ra- 

 pidly in the memory, whenever these present them- 

 selves either to the eye or the imagination ; and, 

 in Botany, you will soon be convinced how es- 

 sential it is to fix, in as practical a manner as 

 possible, every impression which the examination 

 of plants can make on the mind. The greater 

 masters of the old schools of painting were fully 

 aware of the importance of studying the physio- 



* " Ramosus est ramis lateralibus instructus." Phil. Bot. 82, 21 . 



