262 CONSERVATIVE ORGANS. [LECT. VI. 



g. Supported (fulcrati*), when they project 

 nearly horizontally, and give out root-like 

 shoots from the under side ; which extending 

 until they re.ach the ground, 'take root, and 

 serve as props to the branches ; as in the Ban- 

 yan tree, Ficus rellgiosus. 



Such are the varied modes of branching ; but 

 many circumstances concur to alter and modify 

 the natural directions of branches in trees. Thus, 

 if a tree, which when it stands alone throws 

 out many lateral, spreading branches, be planted 

 in a thick grove, or forest, the lower branches 

 will become weak from want of air and light, and 

 fall off; and the tree, rising in height, will give 

 out top branches only: while, on the contrary, 

 a tree which is left when a wood is cut down, soon 

 throws out lateral branches, and extends in the 

 breadth of its shade, much more than it increases 

 in stature. In the Cedar also, and some other 

 trees of a pyramidal form, when, from age or acci- 

 dent, the top shoot, which is termed the runner, 

 is taken away, the lower branches drop off and 

 those of the summit of the tree stretch out broad 

 and long ; the whole aspect of the tree is changed, 

 and from a beautiful and elegant pyramid, it be- 

 comes a spreading canopy, dark, awful, and im- 



* " Fulcratusy ramis descendens ad radicem ; Ficus." Phil. 

 Bot. 82. 27. 



