Vegetable Kingdom," has very aptly compared the 

 roots of a tree to the labouring classes of society. * So- 

 ciety at large,' she observes, 'may be compared to a 

 tree. The poor may be designated by the roots ; the 

 middle classes by the stem and branches ; the dignified 

 and noble, as well as those who adorn and improve 

 humanity, by the flowers, leaves, and fruit. The 

 stem is dependant on the root ; without the stem the 

 root would soon decay ; flowers, fruits, and leaves, 

 are equally ornamental and important to the parent 

 tree. One member of the vegetable body cannot 

 say unto another, I have no need of thee. To each 

 an allotted duty is assigned ; severed, they are of 

 little worth ; united, they form a beautiful and per- 

 fect whole.' 



The various modes of reproduction, and the ve- 

 getable economy, exhibited in the growth and the 

 adaption of the habits of roots, to the peculiar neces- 

 sities of the plant, are well worthy the attention of 

 every inquiring naturalist. 



Some species of grass, which in moist situations 

 emit fibrous roots alone, will in more uncongenial 

 and dry ones form small bulbs, whereby a reservoir 

 of nutriment is secured against the occurrence of an 

 irregular supply of the fluids requisite for its suste- 

 nance. Thus is shown to us the care of the Almighty 

 over the smallest of his works. 



The roots of large trees also, in unpropitious situ- 

 ations, have been observed to vary their natural 

 mode of growth, most materially, in conformity with 

 their need of nourishment. Some curious instances 

 of such circumstances we may hereafter have occa- 

 sion to notice. 



Hort. Kew. 2, v. 4, 7. 



