FIBROUS ROOTS. 99 



foliage, not only suffer, but frequently perish in conse- 

 quence of their privation. Were it otherwise, the gra- 

 zing cattle would destroy the verdure of the pastures, 

 which they now contribute to beautify and adorn, by 

 rendering the turf more compact and close. Fibrous 

 roots sometimes creep extensively under the surface 

 of the earth, whereby their opportunities of receiving- 

 sustenance, as well as their tenacity of life, are much- 

 increased. Sometimes they are remarkably downy, 

 which also secures the double object, of a firm attach- 

 ment to the ground, and a rapid absorption of its fluids 

 It will be recollected that these downy fibres, are but 

 extensions of those vessels, through which the sap is 

 conveyed from the root to the leaf; and observation 

 lias taught us, that they are appropriated to those grass- 

 es, which inhabit barren plains, where other plants 

 would be unable to exist. The sandy shores of Hol- 

 land, once as much disturbed by the winds as the 

 waves they enclose, have, through the agency of these 

 roots, been converted into a fertile soil, which furnish- 

 es the inhabitants of the low lands with the fruits of the 

 earth, and fDrms an effectual barrier against the waters 

 of the ocean. 



The fibres of some parasitical plants. " are peculiar- 

 ly thick and fleshy, not only for the purpose of imbib- 

 ing more nourishment, but also to bind them so strong 

 ly to the branches of trees, as to defy the force of winds 

 upon their large and rigid leaves."* 



The roots by which trees and shrubs are supported, 

 appear to be merely elongations of their stems, subdi- 

 vided into numerous branches, and terminating in mi- 

 nute radicles or absorbents. These extremities re- 



ith. 



