THE STEM AND ITS FUNCTIONS 



89 



the sides. Within the biul are not only the beginnings of the 

 young stem but of the various structures which arc borne upon it, 

 such as leaves and flowers. The bud scales, which protect these 

 delicate parts, are usually stout and impervious. 



pur {Dcljihiniinn). 



The terminal bud governs the elongation of the stem, and 

 through the development of lateral buds, branches arise. The 

 shape of the aerial portion of the plant is determined primarily 

 by the number and arrangement of these branches and by th(Mr 

 rate of growth relative to each other and to the main st (mu. 



