126 CONSERVATIVE ORGANS. [LECT. IV. 



all, or the greater part of these organs, as perfect ; 

 and those in which some of the more conspicuous 

 of either kind are not present, or are apparently 

 deficient, as imperfect. But we need not hesitate 

 in pronouncing this opinion erroneous ; for, as the 

 perfection of a plant consists in the power of its 

 organs to carry on its functions, and to continue 

 the species, individuals only can be imperfect. 



The different organs, in whatever manner they 

 are present, assume a considerable variety of form ; 

 and as it is on that variation that Botanists have 

 founded specific distinctions ; and as it is of im- 

 portance in a physiological point of view also, the 

 student ought to make himself well acquainted 

 with the distinguishing characteristics which it 

 constitutes. In examining these, the best method 

 is to take the organs in the order in which they 

 have been enumerated: let us, therefore, com- 

 mence with the CONSERVATIVE. 



a. The ROOT (Radix) is defined by Linnaeus 

 to be that part of a plant which imbibes its nu- 

 triment, producing the herbaceous part and the 

 fructification ; and which consists of a caudex, or 

 body, and radicles *. Simple as this definition ap- 

 pears to be, it is, nevertheless, objectionable, inas- 



* " Radix alimentum hauriens, herbamque cum fructifica- 

 " tione producens, componitur medulla, libro, cortice; constat- 

 " que caudice et radicula" Phil. Botanica: 



