DANDELION 



same series of operations begins again. The process 

 goes on until the plant is three to five inches below the 

 ground. 



It follows from all this, that every year the roots find new 

 ground to explore and utilize. Nor is the Wild Garlic at all 

 exceptional in this respect. A great many plants have roots 

 which contract and drag the bulb or stem after them deeper 

 into the earth. Something of the same sort happens, for in- 

 stance, to Bramble branches. They arch or droop over, when 

 growing, so that the end touches the earth. On the under- 

 side of the tip, as soon as it begins to rest on the ground, 

 roots are formed. These roots make their way into the 

 ground, and then, when fixed, they shorten or contract, so that 

 the end of the branch is dragged down to a depth of several 

 inches. After this has happened the old branch generally 

 dies away, and a young, vigorous Bramble develops from its 

 buried tip. 



Raspberry branches also are often buried; their roots 

 become coiled or rolled in a very curious manner. The end 

 of the i*oot becomes firmly attached in the soil, and then the 

 rest of it revolves like a tendril so as to draw the stem 

 deeper into the earth.^ 



On any ordinary roadside in the country one is sure to 

 find the rosettes of the common Dandelion and of the Rats- 

 tail Plantain (Plantago major). These are two of the most 

 interesting plants in the world, although they are vulgarly 

 common. How is it that their leaves are always at the level 

 of the ground ? The stem is always growing upwards ; 

 every year fresh circles of leaves are formed above the older 

 ones. Yet the crown of the stem is never so much raised up 



^ Scott Elliot and Fingland, Trans. Nat. Hist. Soc. Glasgow, vol. 5, 

 New Series, part ii., 1997-8. 



93 



