GENEBAL MOEPHOLOaY OF THE PLANT 31 



they appear, they seem to be developed out of their proper places, 

 and make the branchmg appear very complicated. 



Branching. — In the same way as branches are produced on 

 the main axis or stem, so in like manner from the axils of the 

 leaves of these branches other buds and branches are formed ; 

 these again will form a third series, to which will succeed a 

 fourth, fifth, and so on. The main divisions of the stem are 

 called branches, while the smaller divisions of these are com- 

 monly termed twigs. The general arrangement and modifica- 

 tions to which these are liable are commonly described under 



I'lu. +2. 



Fl». 43. 



Fig. 42. Diagram of normal or tme dichotomoiis branching, showing the 

 two branches equally developed in a forked manner, and each branch di- 

 viding in succession in a similar way. Fig. 43. Diagrams of sympodial 



dichotomous branching. A. Helicoid dichotomy. B. Scorpioid dichotomy. 

 In A, the left-hand branches, ?, ?, I. of successive dichotomies are much 

 more developed than the right, r, r, r, r. In B, the left-hand 

 branches, ?, 7, and those of the right hand, ?-, r, are alternately more vigo- 

 rous in their growth. The limbs of the dichotomy which become the 

 successive segments of the sympodium are indicated by the lines drawn 

 inside the latter. After Saclis. 



the name of ramification or branching, which may be defined 

 as the lateral development of similar parts. Thus the divisions 

 of a stem or root are branches ; but the lateral development 

 from a stem or branch, of leaves or other dissimilar parts such 

 as hairs, is not branching. 



There are two principal types of branching, the lateral and 

 the lUchotoinous. When the axis contmues to develop in an 

 upward direction by a terminal bud or growing point, and its 

 branches are produced from smaller growing points originating 

 laterally on the main one, the branching is called lateral. 

 This is, probably, the universal system of branching in 

 Angiosperms, although there are some apparent exceptions. 

 But when the terminal bud or growing point bifurcates, and 



