CHAP. I. THE ROOT. 3J 



divergent direction, and rivetting down the plant on 

 all sides. Such are the roots of most of the Grasses, 

 as exemplified in the case of Wheat, Oats, Barley. 



SUBSECTION IV. 



The Bulbous Root. The bulbous root (PI. I. Solid, 

 Fig. 4.) is a root consisting of a circular assemblage 8C aiy. ' 

 of small fibres originating in the under surface of a 

 bulb or knob, solid or composed of succulent coats 

 or scales, and containing the rudiments of a future 

 plant, as exemplified in the bulbs of the Crocus, 

 Tulip, and Lily. Hence bulbs are vulgarly regarded, 

 and very often described, as being altogether roots 

 perhaps because they are wholly lodged in the 

 soil when planted by the gardener or florist. But 

 the truth is, that the fibres issuing from the under 

 surface of the bulb are the only true and efficient 

 root ; because if they are entirely cut away, the 

 bulb will not germinate. And on this account some 

 botanists have objected to the term bulbous root 

 altogether, since the bulb is in fact no part of the 

 root. But there can be no impropriety in retaining 

 the term if we are only careful to annex to it a true 

 and correct idea, remembering that it signifies only 

 a root furnished with a bulb, and not regarding the 

 bulb as a root of itself. Whence it follows, that 

 the bulbous root is only in fact a fibrous root with a 

 bulb attached to it. 



