THE WALLFLOWER 13 



generally five in number ; each of them runs vertically 

 along the whole length of the stem or branch, and 

 passes through the places where the leaves are inserted. 

 The ridges are most prominent just below the insertion 

 of the leaves. 



Both in the main stem and its branches it is evident 

 that the lower parts are the older. For some distance 

 above the ground there are no leaves ; they have 

 dropped off, and we only find the scars which they 

 have left. Then we come to leaves which are beginning 

 to wither ; a little higher up they are green and fresh, 

 and of full size. Higher up still we find them smaller 

 and more delicate, while at the top of each branch the 

 leaves are only just forming, and we can trace them 

 up to the extreme tip, until they are so small that 

 we can no longer distinguish them. We see, then, 

 that the formation of new organs goes on from below 

 upwards, or, in other words, the growth takes place 

 at the apex of the branch. The extreme end of the 

 branch, where the young leaves are just making their 

 appearance is called the growing -point. The growing- 

 point with the young leaves which surround it is 

 called the kaf-lud. 



The branches do not arise indiscriminately on any 

 part of the stem, but every branch grows from the 

 angle between leaf and stem, just above the insertion 

 of the leaf. This angle is called the axil, and the 

 branches are said to be axillary. The main stem 

 continues its growth indefinitely in the same direction 

 giving off its branches laterally. 



The arrangement of the leaves on the stem requires 



