CHAP. I. THE BRANCHES. 4( 



also along the sides. The primary divisions are 

 again subdivided into secondary divisions, and these 

 again into still smaller divisions till they terminate 

 at last in slender twigs. In point of external form 

 and structure the branches resemble the trunk, but 

 in point of insertion, distribution, and direction, 

 they exhibit some considerable variety ; furnishing 

 a ground of distinction occasionally resorted to by 

 botanists in the discriminating and characteriz- 

 ing of species. 



In their insertion and distribution they are op- Their 



. , . . . i i pdistribu- 



posite, that is growing in pairs, one on each side ot t ion. 

 the trunk and originating in the same horizontal 

 plain, as in Hypericum pulchrum ; or they are al- 

 ternate, that is succeeding one another at certain in- 

 tervals on opposite sides of the trunk, but not 

 originating in the same horizontal plain, as in Poly- 

 gonum persicaria ; or they are verticillate, that is 

 issuing from the trunk in whirls, and at regular 

 intervals, as in the Scotch-fir (PL I. Fig. 13.) ; or 

 they are decussated, that is growing in opposite 

 pairs, of which each crosses the other alternately at 

 right angles, as in Fuller's Teasel (Pi. I Fig. 14.); 

 or they are distichous, that is originating promis- 

 cuously on all parts of the stem, but turned chiefly 

 in two opposite directions so as to form two rows, as 

 in the smaller branches of the Yew-tree, or Silver-fir * 

 or they are scattered, that is issuing promiscuously 

 from all parts of the stem and diverging in all direc- 

 VOL. i. B 



