OF THE ROOT. 53 



furnishes this nourishment in the moisture, and various salts 



which are contained in the soil. 

 Fig. 13. 



2d. Fibrous Root, (Radix Jtbrosa.) (Fig. 

 13.) This consists of a collection of thread- 

 like parts ; as in many kinds of grasses, 

 and most annual plants. The fibres usual- 

 ly grow directly from the bottom of the 

 stem, as may easily be seen by pulling up 

 a handful of the most common grass. 



Fig. 14. 3d. Spindle root (Radix fusiformis.\ (Fig. 14.) 



This is large at the top, and tapering downwards ; 

 as beets; carrots, radishes, and many of the bien- 

 nial plants. This root is not well provided with 

 the means of imbibing sustenance, on account of 

 a deficiency of radicles ; it is sometimes furnished 

 with no more than one. That these radicles are 

 the agents, by which the root is nourished, may 

 be seen by immersing a young radish in water un- 

 til every part is covered except the radicles ; the 

 herbage will soon die ; but if the radicles of an- 

 other radish are immersed in water, the plant will 

 live and look fresh for some time. The spindle 

 root is often/brM as in the mandrake,* the divi- 

 sions of which are thought to resemble the lower 

 part of the human figure. Sometimes the spindle 

 root instead of termimating in a point, appears as 

 if the end had been cut or bitten off; this is called 

 an abrupt root, or more scientifically, premorse, 

 (See Fig. 15.) which Fig. 15. 



signifies bitten. The vi- 

 olet and cowslip furnish 

 examples of this kind of root. A for- 

 eign plant called the Devil's bit,f re- 

 ceived the name on account of its ab- 

 rupt root; it having been superstitiously 

 believed in former times, that as the 



plant was useful for medicine,'the devil *" /? C ' 7 1\ \ 



had, out of spite to mankind, bitten off 

 the root. 



* Atropa Mandragora. The word mandrake is said to be derived from the 

 German Mandragen, resembling man. 

 t SCABIOSA succisa or a kind of Scabious 



Fibrous root Spindle root Importance of radicles Forked spindle root 

 Premorse root. 5* 



