BOOTS. 77 



not serve the purpose of the root. Possibly it may not have 

 occurred to you of how great a service roots are. The utility of 

 roots as the mouths of the plant I have already mentioned, 

 and they are of equal importance as anchors to the plant. The 

 roots of the Oak extend in every direction as far as the 

 branches, and this accounts for the great stability of the tree 

 and its security amid storms and floods. The fibrous roots 

 creep always in the direction of water, they have enormous 

 power in penetrating the smallest crevices in rocks, encircling 

 stones, and pushing their way through every impediment, thus 

 making good a strong position for the plant. Some roots are 

 very aggressive in their habits. Horseradish and Mint are 

 Very difficult to restrict to the ground assigned to them ; and 

 the Couch-grass, against which the farmer preaches an ever- 

 lasting crusade, finds means of overcoming every check to its 

 progress. Dr. Murray found bulbs of the White Lily threaded 

 by fibres of the Couch-grass like beads on a string. Yet even 

 these obtrusive grass-weeds have their utility, binding securely 

 the sand on the river-bank or sea-shore, and thus forming more 

 enduring dykes than the hand of man could raise. 



It sounds selfish to speak of the edible qualities of roots as 

 their highest utility ; but it is not really so, for did not God 

 create the herb and grass of the field, and every tree, and give 

 them to man with the clear injunction, " To you it shall be for 

 meat?" In a spirit, therefore, of thankfulness to our bene- 

 ficent Father, I would enumerate the articles of food which He 

 has made to grow for us in the roots of plants the Carrot, 

 Turnip, Radish, Artichoke, Beetroot, Onion, Parsnip. 



Instinct prompts the most savage nations to dig up and 

 eat roots, and great numbers subsist upon such food, thus 

 contenting themselves with the humblest of God's provisions. 

 Alas ! that the image of the Destroyer should so efface that of 

 the Creator in the highest of His works, that we should hear of 

 the fierce savage killing his own children, because the cravings 

 of hunger prompted them to steal the roots he had dug up ! 



