14 :fi5otani2 



buds, and becomes the root or roots of the new 

 l^lant. 



It is no matter of mere chance which axis of the 

 new sprout goes up, and which down ; the stem will 

 make a complete bend around the parent seed, if that 

 is needed to reach the surface of the earth ; while its 

 proper lower part will be at equal trouble to bury 

 itself in the soil. 



It is a popular fallacy that stems grow from roots. 

 On the contrary roots grow from stems. Even in the 

 perennial roots of plants which die down to the 

 ground each autumn, the root does not send up fresh 

 stems, a portion of true stem remains under ground 

 on the root crown, and this it is which sends up bud- 

 bearing stems. The distinguishing mark of the true 

 root is that it bears no buds, no leaves, no scales. 



There are underground stems and there are also 

 aerial roots. We have all noted the fringe of roots 

 starting from the lower joints of a cornstalk, and 

 growing perhaps several inches before entering the 

 earth. The heavy stalk needs these additional moor- 

 ings, as tents need their cords. Some trees, as the 

 banyan, put forth roots from branches high in air. 

 These must grow many feet before they can enter the 

 earth. None of these roots put forth leaves. We find 

 on brook sides sometimes great portions of apparent 

 roots, laid bare by the falling away of covering earth. 



