SHOOTS i 



rangement is very different from that found in Monocotyle- 

 dons. It will be noticed how similar in general appearance 

 is the habit of the tree fern and that of the palm (see Fig. 

 S3). 



61. Lower plants. — In the case of moss-plants, and such 

 alga? and fungi as develop stems, the stems are very much 



Fig. 82. A palm of the palmetto type (fan palm), with low stem and a crown of large 



leaves. 



simpler in construction, but they serve the same general 

 purpose. 



62. Conduction by the stem. — Aside from the work of 

 producing leaves and furnishing mechanical support, the 

 stem is a great conducting region of the plant. This sub- 

 ject will be considered in Chapter X., under the general 

 head of "The Nutrition of Plants." 

 7 



