102 THE ROOT. 



vious spirit of the devil has been so much gratified as 

 to leave in the remainder of the herb, no healing vir- 

 tue for them. 



Bulbs are by some writers classed with roots, while 

 others regard them as an interesting variety of subter- 

 ranean bud. Certain it is, that they enclose the em- 

 bryo of future plants, till the period of their evolution 

 arrives, and in this respect they perform the office of 

 buds. Many of them are also composed of concentric 

 scales, nearly allied to those which secure the tender 

 leaves and flowers of northern trees, from the cold of the 

 winter to which they are exposed. But it is equally true 

 that they bear a close analogy to the tuberous root, and 

 whatever opinions we adopt respecting their nature 

 and rank, whether we class them with roots or with 

 buds, the plants to which they are attached will always 

 be regarded with peculiar interest. They are amongst 

 the earliest harbingers of spring, and certainly the mo=t 

 splendid ornaments of the garden. Among them are 

 the Lily, Snowdrop, Tulip, Hyacinth, with about forty 

 mere interesting plants, equally deserving the fostering 

 care of the cultivator. While examining the internal 

 arrangement of these roots even at mid-winter, we can- 

 not fail to observe with what care the plants of another 

 reason, already conspicuous and perfect, are preserved 

 from injury. From their inferior surface, radicles 

 descend into the earth, which like the fibrous extremi- 

 ties of other roots, are designed for the immediate ab- 

 sorption of nourishment. The bulbs are evidently 

 designed to preserve the living powers of the plant, 

 and to supply it with sustenance when its other resour- 

 ces are exhausted. Their structure would lead to this 

 opinion, and their habits wou^d confirm it. Thus the 

 root of the common Herds gra«. Phleum pratcuse. 



