I'l THE ROOT. 



ted by the winds, after their flowering season. This is the 

 case with the grass called Pna bnlbosa. 



Fig 11 



Scaly bulb, Fig. 11, (Bulbus squamosus.) 

 Consisting of scales connected only at the 

 base, and which overlay each other. Ex. 

 White Lily, (Lilium condidum.) 



Sometimes many small bulbs are enclosed 

 in the same coating, as in the common Gar- 

 lic, (AUium sativum.) 



Bulbs are consideredin their nature, analo- 

 gous to buds. They are the reservoirs which 

 keep the germs of the future plants during the 

 winter. In a few instances bulbs grow on the stalks of the 

 plant, and falling on the ground take root, and produce per- 

 fect plants. This is the case of the Orange Lily, (Lilium 

 bulbiferum,} which contains small buds in the axilla of each 

 leaf. In general, the bulb dies on the approach of winter, 

 the species being continued by the production of new ones, 

 which are nourished by the remains of the old. 



Many bulbous roots form important articles of food. In 

 Africa several roots of this kind are in common use, and in 

 some parts of Italy, it is said that tulip roots are employed 

 for the same purpose among the poor. Among the inhabit- 

 ants of Kamptschatka, the bulb of a certain kind of lily is of 

 the highest consequence as an article of food. At the time 

 of its flowering, the ground in some places, is entirely cov- 

 ered by its blossoms. At the proper season, the bulbs are 

 gathered, dried in the sun, and thus prepared for use. They 

 are afterwards baked or dried still more by artificial heat, 

 and then reduced to powder, and of this the best bread of 

 these poor people is made. These bulbs are also eaten both 

 boiled and roasted. 



Almost all nations are acquainted with the bulbs of the 

 Onion, Leek, and Garlic. It is most probable that Egypt is 

 the native country of the Onion, and perhaps of the others 

 also. In the most ancient of historical records, these roots 

 are spoken of as articles of food, and are mentioned among 

 the luxuries, the want of which, the children of Israel so 

 bitterly deplored after their departure from the land of Egypt- 



What is the form of a scaly bulb 1 In what respect are bulbs analo- 

 gous to buds ? In what instance does the bulb grow on the stalk of the 

 plant ? What is said of the bulbous roots as articles of food ? What bulb 

 ous roots are mentioned in the most ancient historical records ? 



