THE ROOT. 



.11 



Abrupt, or Premorse root, Fig. 2, 

 (Radix premorsa.} This root termi- 

 nates abruptly, as though it had been 

 bitten off, and hence its name, premorse, 

 signifying bitten. Ex. Primrose, (Pri- 

 mula,} Devil's bit, (Scabiosa succisa,} 

 Violet, (Viola pedata.) These roots 

 are not however uniformly, or always, 

 premorse, for it is a curious fact that 

 this is only the case after the plant is 

 more than a year old. During the first 1 / 



year, the root is fusiform, after which y 



it becomes woody, the lower part de- 

 cays arid separates, giving the remainder an eroded or bitten 

 appearance. Afterwards new lateral branches shoot out 

 from the premorse root, to compensate for the decayed part, 

 and by these the plant afterwards receives its nourishment. 



Branched root, Fig. 3, (Radix ramosa.) 

 This is perhaps the most common of all 

 the roots. It is divided into numerous 

 ramifications, or branches, like the limbs 

 of a tree, and trees properly so called, as 

 well as many annual and biennial plants, 

 have this kind of root. The structure of 

 the ramose root differs little from the 

 branches of the tree itself. 



For the purpose of illustration, branch- 

 es may be considered as roots growing 

 in the air, and roots as branches growing 

 in the ground. Indeed, in certain cases, 

 these organs may be mutually converted into each other, for 

 there are many trees, which being pulled up by the roots and 

 inverted, will continue to grow. That is, their tops being 

 buried in the earth, will shoot out fibres and become roots, 

 while their roots, being elevated in the air, will become cov- 

 ered with leaves and produce fruit. A limb of common Wil- 

 low, and perhaps of other species of Salix. being inverted 

 and set into the damp earth, grows perfectly well. If both 

 ends be set in the ground in form of a half circle, each will 

 take root, and the branches will spring from between them. 



What is the form of a premorse root 1 Why is this root called premorse * 

 How are premorse roots formed! What is a branched roof? What is 

 said about the mutual conversion of branches into roots, and roots into 

 tranches 'I 



