=Parts.=--[Illustration] _n_, _Node_, part to which the leaf is
fastened.
_i_, _Internode_, portion between nodes.
_a_, _Axil_, the angle between leaf and stem, upper side.
=Class.=--_Exogenous_, outside-growing (Maple, Elm).
_Endogenous_, inside-growing (Corn-stalk, Timothy).
=Situation.=--(1.) _Above ground_, usually leaf-bearing.
(2.) _Under ground_, scale-bearing.
Stems above Ground.
=Character.=--_Herbaceous_, soft, not woody (Four-o’clock).
_Suffrutescent_, slightly shrubby (Toad-flax).
_Suffruticous_, shrubby at base (Trailing Arbutus).
_Fruticous_, shrubby (Currant-bushes).
_Arborescent_, tree-like (Flowering Dogwood).
_Arboreous_, tree (Elm).
=Direction of Growth.=--_Repent_, [Illustration] prostrate and rooting
from the under surface (Partridge-berry).
_Procumbent_, prostrate, but not rooting (Purslane).
_Decumbent_, [Illustration] prostrate, except at the extremity (Poor
Man’s Weather-glass).
_Assurgent_, [Illustration] ascending obliquely.
_Erect_, upright (Indian Corn).
_Scandent_, [Illustration] climbing with tendrils or rootlets (Grape,
English Ivy).
_Voluble_, [Illustration] twining (Morning-glory).
_Declinate_, [Illustration] declined or bent downwards (Blackberry).
_Diffuse_, [Illustration] loosely-spreading (Red Currant).
=Forms of Branches.=--_Sucker_, [Illustration] a branch of subterranean
origin that finally rises out of the ground. The Raspberry multiplies in
this way.
_Offset_, [Illustration] a short, prostrate-rooting branch with a tuft
of leaves at the end (Houseleek).
_Runner_, [Illustration] a long, prostrate-rooting branch with tuft of
leaves (Strawberry).
_Stolon_, [Illustration] a branch that curves downward and takes root.
The Currant multiplies in this way.
_Tendril_, [Illustration] a thread-like coiling branch used for
climbing.
_Spine or Thorn_, [Illustration] a hard, sharp-pointed branch.
Stems under Ground.
=Kinds.=--_Rhizoma or Rootstock_, [Illustration] a perennial, horizontal
stem, partially or wholly subterranean (Calamus).
_Tuber_, [Illustration] an enlarged stem with eyes (White-potato).
_Bulb_, [Illustration] a bud, usually subterranean with fleshy scales
(Onion, Lily).
_Corm_, [Illustration] a solid bulb (Indian Turnip).