( IIAI'II'.K II 



ROOTS 



if! V.V us begin our stu(l\- of roots by 

 considering the wav' in which plants 

 obtain their nourishment from the 

 earth, and are kept in an upright posi- 

 tion by means of their root-fibres. These 

 being out of sight, we may easily not be familiar 

 witii this part of the economy of ])lant life, but we 

 shall soon see what important duties the roots ha\-e 

 to fulfil, and how much thc\- \ar)- in character and 

 appearance according to the soil, the climate, and 

 the work they arc rccjuired to do. The greater 

 number of annual plants (those which live only 

 one }'earj ha\e fibrous roots, and of these we can 

 find examples almost ever}'whcre. A piece of 



groundsel or tuft of grass will answer our purpose. 



4 4y 



