THE ROOT. 



In MONII/IFORM KOOTS (Fig. 240) some of the fibres 

 have numerous small swellings, that succeed each 

 other so as to look like a string of beads. 



In FASCIC'ULATED BOOTS (Fig. 241) the fibres be- 

 come swollen along their length, and look like a 

 bundle of fusiform roots. 



When some of the rootlets of fibrous roots become 

 fleshy and enlarged, taking the form shown in Fig. 

 242, they are called TUBERCULAR KOOTS. 



NOTE. It is not difficult to see that the moniliform root is 

 only a fibrous root, in which regular portions of the fibres have 

 become swollen. When all these swellings unite in one con- 

 tinuous enlargement, we have a fasciculated root (Fig. 241). 

 When the swellings are shortened and globular (Fig. 242), we 

 name them tubercular roots, but their resemblance to the 

 fibrous root is still apparent. 



The questions about roots suggested by this chapter are, 

 first, is the specimen in hand a tap or fibrous root? The 

 answer may not always be easy, but the pupil will exercise 

 his best judgment upon it. If it be fibrous, however, say so ; 

 if any modification of fibrous, say which, and similarly if the 

 kind be a tap-root. For aid in describing roots, we must refer 

 pupils to the exercises in plant description, which follow. 



There is usually a certain balance between the size of the 

 root and stem of a plant ; but sometimes the root is very small 

 compared with the stem and branches, and sometimes it is 

 large. Roots may also be loosely attached to the soil or firmly 

 planted therein; they may ">e spreading near the surface, or 

 may grow directly downward, and such facts are worthy of 

 note in root descriptions. 



