44 THE TRUNK. PART I. 



stem, from which, as well as from several others, 

 the species is often very happily characterized. 

 Structure. If viewed with regard to their structure, stems are 

 either simple, that is without divisions, as the 

 stem of the White Lily, or compound, that is con- 

 sisting of two or more divisions, as in the generality 

 of plants. The divisions are but seldom arranged 

 in any thing like a regular form ; but sometimes 

 they originate in pairs, and then the stem is said to 

 be dichotomous, as in the Missletoe. Stems are also 

 for the most part solid, but in some species they are 

 found to be tubular, as in Water Hemlock ; the tubu- 

 lar part being generally divided by thin and trans- 

 verse partitions, as in Wild Angelica. 



Position. Stems in the process of vegetation assume, for 

 the most part, a vertical position, though not always 

 strictly so ; for there are many exceptions to this rule, 

 some species affecting a position peculiar to them- 

 selves ; ascending, not in an upright but in a zigzag 

 direction, and the stems being hence denominated 

 flaxuose, as in the case of Celastrus buxifollus 

 (PL I. Fig. 6.) ; or, after ascending vertically for the 

 greater part of their height, terminating at last in a 

 curve, so as that the top bends down towards the 

 ground. This last species botanists have designated 

 by the appellation of the nodding stem, which may 

 be exemplified in the case of Water Avens or the 

 Musk Thistle. (PL I. Fig. 7.) Another exception 

 is that of the creeping stem, which extends itself 

 horizontally along the surface of the earth and sends 



