OF PLANTS. 85 



Vegetable stem are all developed from this part. The axis 

 is the primary and fundamental portion of the plant from 

 its very origin, and not unfrequently the other organs are 

 but imperfectly formed, or appear in particular special 

 forms, as in the Cactus tribe, the Stapelias, and almost 

 all parasitical plants. The second organ is represented by 

 the lateral bodies marked c, exhibiting a multitude of dif- 

 ferences in the individuals, yet one essential, fundamental 

 physiognomy, which they never wholly throw aside, and 

 which is especially visible during their development ; 

 they receive the general name of " leaf -organs" or " leaves." 

 Thus we perceive that even the most perfect plant only 

 possesses two essential organs, namely, the stem and the 

 leaf; therefore, that the ideal plant depicted by fancy, the 

 typical plant, has a basis simple beyond all anticipation. 

 But we must distinguish and name more minutely the 

 following modifications of the primary organs : 



1. Of the axis, we find a lower end, which is called 

 " the root" (a), with its lateral organs " accessory roots or 

 rootlets" (&), an intermediate portion (a i to a v) the 

 proper " stem" the supporter of the leaf-organs and buds ; 

 lastly, an upper end (a vi) which subsequently, after 

 manifold occurrences, developes into a seed, and therefore 

 receives the suitable name of "seed-bud" (Formerly an 

 unfortunately chosen term, " vegetable ovules" was applied 

 to the seed-buds). 



2. A far greater diversity of forms occurs in the leaves, 

 The first which are exhibited by the unfolding plant, 

 and which may mostly be found already tolerably perfect in 

 the embryo, are the "seed-lobes" or "cotyledons" (c), 

 their outline being very simple. From these to the middle 

 of the stem, the leaves, according to a tolerably prevalent 

 law, become more diverse and complicated in their outline, 



