CHAP. I. THE ROOT. 35 



The root is regarded by Linnaeus as consisting of 

 two parts,, the caudex and radicula* The former 

 constitutes the body of the root, the latter the fibres 

 which issue from its surface. 



As roots have been found to exhibit a considerable 

 variety of shape, size, and structure, analogous to 

 the peculiarities affecting the general habit of the 

 plant, they have, accordingly, been found to be of 

 particular utility in the discriminating of species, 

 and have been distributed for the convenience of 

 botanists, and for the sake of giving precision to 

 botanical description, into several different sorts, of 

 which the following are the principal. 



SUBSECTION I. 



The Spindle-shaped Root. The spindle-shaped 

 root (PL I. Fig. 1.), which is a root tapering gra- 

 dually, as its name implies, from the base or collar 

 to the apex, and descending to a considerable depth 

 in the soil, is so very well known in the common 

 and familiar examples of the Carrot and Parsnip, 

 that perhaps no illustration of it is necessary beyond 

 a mere reference to the roots of these plants. 



SUBSECTION II. 



The Bitten or Truncated Root. The bitten or 

 truncated root (PI. 1. Fig. 2.) is a root tapering 



* Phil. Bot. sect. 80. 

 D2 



