52 THE VEGETATIVE SHOOT 



ment of the buds, the scars left where the foliage-leaves and old bud-scales 

 have fallen off, and the hairyness, smoothness, and any other peculiarities of 

 the bark and buds. (See Tables, page 6l.) 



Ex. 25. — Measure the lengths of internode between successive buds on last 

 year's shoots of the common trees and shrubs. At which parts, — those which 

 are youngest or those which are oldest, — are the buds most closely placed on 

 the stems? 



Ex. 26. — Examine young ash, sycamore, oak, and other trees in winter. 



(1) Try and find out the yearly growth in length of the various parts of 

 each. 



(2) Make observations in regard to the length of the branch produced by 

 buds near the apex, middle and base of each year's growth. Note the pre- 

 sence or absence of " dormant " buds. 



(3) Find out if the branching is generally racemose or cymose. Look for 

 sympodia upon hazel, beech, elm, and horse-chestnut, and other trees. 



(4) Note the difference in length of yearly growth of branches in very old 

 trees and young ones of the same species. 



Ex. 27. — Examine the long shoots and short shoots (' spurs ') of apple, pear, 

 plum, cherry, gooseberry and currant. Observe the size and form of the 

 buds upon the various parts of the shoots. Cut longitudinal sections and 

 examine with a lens : endeavour to determine which are wood-buds and which 

 are fruit-buds. 



Ex. 28. — Examine the unfolding buds upon the chief fruit trees in spring 

 when the different kinds of buds can be easily distinguished : observe the 

 position of the leaf-buds, mixed-buds, and flower buds respectively. 



16. Stems and their Varieties. — Stems which are soft and 

 which usually last but a short time, are termed herbaceous; 

 practically all our annuals have stems of this nature, and many 

 perennial plants also, e.g. nettles and hops. Most stems 

 which last several seasons develop within themselves consider- 

 able quantities of wood, and are harder and firmer in con- 

 sequence : such stems are said to be woody. It must be 

 pointed out, however, that herbaceous stems in reality also 

 possess wood, but only in the form of thin strands, which are 

 relatively small in amount when compared with the remaining 

 soft parts. All stems, moreover, are soft and herbaceous when 

 very young, so that no real distinction exists between herbaceous 



