1CH 



CHAPTER XII. 



OF THE ROOT, AND ITS DIFFERENT 

 KINDS. 



We begin the description of the completely 

 formed 'vegetable by its Root, as being the 

 basis of all the rest, as well as the first part 

 produced from the seed. Its use in general 

 is two-fold ; to fix the plant to a commodious 

 situation, and to derive nourishment for its 

 support. This part is therefore commonly 

 plunged deeply into the ground, having, as 

 we have already shewn, a natural tendency 

 to grow downwards. In some cases however, 

 when plants grow on the stems or branches 

 of others, as the Dodder or Cuscuta, several 

 Ferns, and a portion of the Orchis tribe, 

 the root is closely attached to the bark, from 

 which it draws nourishment, by the under 

 side only, the upper being bare. 



The Root consists of two parts, Caudex> 



