THE PLANT-BODY. 65 
and in some cases provided with sucker-like organs, by 
means of which they absorb food from their hosts. 
123. General Modes of Branching of Members.—All the 
members of the plant-body may branch. This branching 
always follows one of two general methods. In the one 
the apex of the growing member divides into two new 
growing points, from which branches proceed: this is the 
Dichotomous mode of branching (Fig. 38). In the other 
te 
Fig. 40.—Diagrams of cymose monopodial branching. A and B, scorpioid 
cymes; C, forked cymose monopodium, the compound or falsely dichotomous 
cy me (called also the dichasium): D, helicoid cyme. 
the new growing points arise laterally while the original 
apex still retains its place and often its growth: this is the 
Monopodial mode of branching (Fig. 39). Both modes 
are subject to many modifications, the most important of 
which are briefly indicated in the following table; and 
moreover a member may branch for a time dichotomously 
and then monopodially, or the reverse. 
