ORGANS OF NUTRITION. 



125 



towards the apex, it is termed conical (Jiff. 241). The roots of 

 Monkshood {Aconitum Napellus), Parsnip [Pastinaca sativa), and 

 Carrot (Daticus Carota), are familiar examples of this form of 

 root. 



Fusiform or Sjpindle-shaped Boot. — This term is applied to a 

 tap-root which swells out a little below its base, and then tapers 

 upwards and downwards (fig. 242). The common Eadish 

 [Baphanus sativus), and the Beet (Beta vulgaris) may be taken 

 as examples. 



Napiform or Turnip-shaped Boot. — This name is given to a 

 root which is much swollen at its base, and tapers below into a 

 long point, the whole being of a somewhat globular form (fig. 

 243). It occurs in a variety of the common Eadish, which is 

 hence called the Turnip-radish; in the common Turnip (Bras- 

 sica Napus), and in other plants. When what would be otherwise 

 a napiform root becomes compressed both at its base and apex 



Fig. 242. 



Fig. 243. 



Fig. 244. 



Fig. 244. Placentlf orm root. 



Fig. 242. Fusiform root of the common Radish.- — Fig. 243. Napiform 

 root of the Turnip. 



so that it has no tapering extremity, it is said to he placentiform 

 {fig. 244). It occurs in the Sow-bread {Cyclamen europceum). 

 The recent researches of botanists have shown that the so- 



