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CHAPTER II. 



THE ROOT. 



i. JT)LANTS in their perfect form consist of four 

 -*- principal parts,— the Root, Stem, Leaf, and 

 Flower. It is true that the stem and flower are 

 parts, and remnants, or altered states, of the leaves ; 

 and that, speaking with close accuracy, we might 

 say, a perfect plant consists of leaf and root. But 

 the division into these four parts is best for practical 

 purposes, and it will be desirable to note a few 

 general facts about each, before endeavouring to 

 describe any one kind of plant. Only, because the 

 character of the stem depends on the nature of 

 the leaf and flower, we must put it last in order 

 of examination ; and trace the development of the 

 plant first in root and leaf; then in the flower 

 and its fruit ; and lastly in the stem. 



2. First, then, the Root. 



Every plant is divided, as I just said, in the main, 

 into two parts, and these have opposite natures. 

 One part seeks the light ; the other hates it. One- 

 part feeds on the air; the other on the dust. 



