ABSTRACT
Now since our study becomes more illuminating if we distinguish different kinds, it is well to follow this plan where possible. The first and most important classes, which comprise all or nearly all plants, are: tree, shrub, under-shrub, herb. A tree is a thing which springs from the root with a single trunk, having knots and many branches, and it cannot easily be uprooted; for instance, olive, fig, vine. A shrub is a thing which rises from the root with many branches; for instance, bramble, Christ’s thorn. An under-shrub is a thing which rises from the root with many trunks as well as many branches; for instance, savory, rue. An herb is a thing which comes up from the root with its leaves and has no main stem, and the seed is borne on the stem; for instance, grain and vegetables.
