O PROSERPINA. 



The part that loves the light is called the Leaf. It 

 is an old Saxon word ; I cannot get at its origin. 

 The part that hates the light is called the Root. 



In Greek, pifa, Rhiza.* 



In Latin, Radix, "the growing thing," which 

 shortens, in French, into Race, and then they put 

 on the diminutive ' ine,' and get their two words, 

 Race, and Racine, of which we keep Race for 

 animals, and use for vegetables a word of our 

 own Saxon (and Dutch) dialect, — ' root ' ; (connected 

 with Rood — an image of wood ; whence at last the 

 Holy Rood, or Tree). 



3. The Root has three great functions: 

 1st. To hold the plant in its place. 

 2nd. To nourish it with earth. 

 3rd. To receive vital power for it from the 

 earth. 



With this last office is in some degree, — and 

 especially in certain plants, — connected, that of 

 reproduction. 



But in all plants the root has these three essential 

 functions. 



First, I said, to hold the Plant in its place. The 

 Root is its Fetter. 



* Learn this word, at any rate ; and if you know any Greek, learn 

 also this group of words: "<ic p<?a Iv yij Snpuay," which you may 

 chance to meet with, and even to think about, some day. 



