TMH STAT UBS AND HABIT OF PLANTS 



389 



(Obs. iv.) that the side branches are lopped ofE or 

 suppressed by competition among themselves and 



Fig. 409. 

 The prostrate habit of mayflower. 



with other plants. Plants with a central shaft or 

 trunk, and a more or less elevated head, are trees. 



494a. Is it necessary that a cherry or basswood, or other tree, 

 shall grow to a single trunk ? If a cherry or peach tree were to 

 grow in the garden wholly without 'pruning from the first, might 

 it have more than one trunk ? 



495. In the sumac (Fig. 11) the shaft or leader 

 soon disappears. Compare the lilac and snowball. 



