(-tEneeal morphology of the plant 41 



length. The tree, instead of being pyramidal in form, then has 



a naked trunk of some length, as may be seen in many fir trees. 



Kinds of Stem and Branches.— We have seen that the 



Fig. 56. 



Fig. .t7. 



Figs. 5(j and 57. Suckers of species of Mc/Uha. 



stem when first developed always passes upwards, while the 

 root at the same time passes downwards. In many instances 

 this original direction of the stem is continued more or less 



Fig. 58. 



Fig. 



Fig, 58. A portion of the rhizome of a species of Iris. Fig. 59, A portion 



of tlie rhizome of the Solomon's Se.il {Polygonatum mulliflorum). h. He- 

 mains of the flowering stem of tlie present j-ear. b'. Lateral bud, which 

 will produce the flowering stem of the next year, c, c. Scars produced by 

 the decay of the flowering stems of the two preceding years, r, r. Root- 

 lets. 



throughout its life, but in other cases the terminal bud either 

 acquires an. irregular development, and the stem runs along, 

 or remains under, the surface of the ground ; or it perishes 

 altoo-ether at a very early period, and an axillary branch takes 



