II. THE ROOT. 39 



12. Now, having got a quite clear idea of a 

 root properly so called, we may observe what those 

 storehouses, refuges, and ruins are, which we find 

 connected with roots. The greater number of 

 plants feed and grow at the same time ; but there 

 are some of them which like to feed first and grow 

 afterwards. For the first year, or, at all events, the 

 first period of their life, they gather material for 

 their future life out of the ground and out of the 

 air, and lay it up in a storehouse, as bees make 

 combs. Of these stores — for the most part rounded 

 masses tapering downwards into the ground— some 

 are as good for human beings as honeycombs are ; 

 only not so sweet. We steal them from the plants, 

 as we do from the bees, and these conical upside- 

 down hives or treasuries of Atrcus, under the 

 names of carrots, turnips, and radishes, have had 

 important influence on human fortunes. If we do 

 not steal the store, next year the plant lives upon 

 it, raises its stem, flowers and seeds out of that 

 abundance, and having fulfilled its destiny, and 

 provided for its successor, passes away, root and 

 branch together. 



13. There is a pretty example of patience for us 

 in this ; and it would be well for young people 

 generally to set themselves to grow in a carrotty or 

 turnippy manner, and lay up secret store, not caring 



