104 OF THE ROOT. 



of vital energy in the root, which would consequently 

 assume a degree of vigour and a luxuriant mode of 

 growth not natural to it, and become bulbous.- Thus 

 it acquires a resource against such checks in future, 

 and the herb is preserved alive, though in a very far less 

 luxuriant state than when regularly and uniformly sup- 

 plied with its requisite nourishment. These are not 

 solitary instances. It is well worthy the attention of an 

 intelligent cultivator to seek them out, and turn them to 

 his advantage. 



quent vigorous growth of such a tree, is the natural consequence 

 of an improved and more extensive pasture." T. A. Knight. 



The same ingenious author has adduced other facts and ex- 

 periments to disprove the existence of instinct or perception in 

 the roots of plants. He considers that where roots are found 

 tending toward water or a rich soil, it is not because the plant 

 originally sent most of its roots in that direction ; but because 

 the roots which accidentally tended that way, met with a larger 

 supply of nourishment, and increased rapidly in size and length j 

 while those which were in contact with dry and barren soil were 

 stuiited and increased but little. — See his paper in the Phil. 

 Trans, for 1811] 



