SOLOMON'S SEAL 



above the ground that the toe of a boot would be likely to 

 knock it off. It is always kept so deep in the earth, that it 

 is by no means easy to kick or " howk " the crown out of the 

 ground. 



The Dandelion root contracts very strongly at the end of 

 the season, and by this shortening or contraction keeps its 

 leaves just at the soil level. The Plantain sends out about 

 forty to sixty oblique downward-growing roots, which fix 

 themselves in the soil by throwing out branch roots. These 

 forty to sixty roots are at first about ten inches long, but, as 

 soon as they are firmly attached, they contract, and pull 

 the stem with its crown of leaves about one-third of an inch 

 deeper. This is just enough to keep the leaves flat on the 

 ground and to prevent any possible injury from passers-by. 



So that in finding their favourite level in the soil, plants 

 are often pulled or hauled about by the roots. But they 

 are not always moved by the roots. Even though buried in 

 darkness, they seem able in some way to tell when they are 

 in the most favourable position. 



Every gardener knows that Autumn Crocus and other 

 bulbs do not remain in the same position. They wander 

 below ground in a curious and inexplicable fashion. 



The Solomon's Seal has an underground, fleshy stem, 

 which prefers to grow at a definite depth. If it is planted 

 close to the surface, then the point of the next year's little 

 fleshy bud turns downwards ; next year it again turns down- 

 wards, and so on every year, until the stem has reached its 

 proper depth. Then it grows horizontally. Similarly, if it 

 is planted too deep it grows upwards. 



Thus if one wishes to realize the underground life of 

 plants, one must picture to oneself : — 



1. The usual descending roots, whose system of branching 



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