28 MORPHOLOGY OF ROOTS. [LESSON 5. 



side-buds of the Red-Maple, or when they are undeveloped blossoms. 

 These we shall have to consider hereafter. 



Figure 54 represents a spreading-topped tree (American Elm), 

 the stem dividing off into branches ; and some spiry trees (Spruces 

 on the right hand, and two of the Arbor- Vitae on the left) with ex- 

 current stems. 



LESSON V. 



MORPHOLOGY (i.e. VARIOUS SORTS AND FORMS) OF ROOTS. 



61. Morphology, as the name (derived from two Greek words) 

 denotes, is the doctrine of forms. In treating of forms in plants, the 

 botanist is not confined to an enumeration or description of the 

 shapes or sorts that occur, which would be a dull and tedious 

 business, but he endeavors to bring to view the relations between 

 one form and another ; and this is an interesting study. 



G2. Botanists give particular names to all the parts of plants, and 

 also particular terms to express their principal varieties in form. 

 They use these terms with great precision and advantage in describ- 

 ing the species or kinds of plants. They must therefore be defined 

 and explained in our books. But it would be a great waste of time 



