30 ENULiSif WILD FLOWERS. 



generally consists of a body called a caudex, and a 

 number of small fibres known as radionics: the one is the 

 root proper, and the other the rootlets. The simplest 

 and most common form of root consists of a tuft of 

 fibres or capillaries, as the roots of grass and corn 

 generally. The creeping root is familiar in the couch- 

 grass, the mint tribe, the common bracken, and other 

 plants. The spindled-sJiaped root tapers gradually, as 

 shown in the carrot, parsnip, &c. The truncated root 

 is the spindle root with an abrupt termination, as if 

 bitten off. The tuberous root is exemplified in the po- 

 tato. The bulbous root is a round firm mass, from the 

 base of which fibres issue. The bulb itself may be 

 solid, as in the crocus; in concentric rings, as the 

 onion ; in fleshy scales, as the white lily. 



The STEM of a plant is variously spoken of: as 

 simple when it only bears leaf and flowers, and has no 

 branches. Some are forked, some ascend, some are 

 prostrate, and some creep. The angle between the 

 leaf and stem is called an axil. When a flower or bud 

 starts from this angle, as in the mistletoe or balsam, it 

 is called axillary. 



The LEAVES or foliage of the plant, ere the flowers 

 appear, afford the only means of recognizing it. When 



