ON ROOTS. #1 



thoughts from the admiration of the creation to that of its 

 all-wise and beneficent Creator. But to return to our 

 subject. 



Botanists distinguish several kinds of roots. The Radix 

 fibrosa, or fibrous root, is the most common and most sim- 

 ple in its form : it consists of a collection or bundle of 

 fibres, connected by a common head, and often merely by 

 the base of the stem. The roots of many grasses and 

 most annual herbs are of this description ; during their 

 short existence, which is limited to one summer, they 

 continue growing, both by forming new fibres and by 

 elongating the old ones. These fibres are occasionally 

 covered with a sort of shaggy down, which, as it gener- 

 ally occurs in loose or sandy soil, is considered as a pro- 

 vision of Nature for the purpose of fixing the plant more 

 firmly in the ground. 



Emily. Of what description are the roots of those 

 weeds, such as couch-grass, which seem to be intermina- 

 ble. If you attempt to eradicate them, you meet with a 

 succession of bunches of fibres springing from a root 

 which grows horizontally, and appears to be endless. 



Mrs. B. This is the radix repens, or creeping root. 

 The long horizontal fibre is, in fact, not a root but a 

 subterraneous branch, for it has no spongioles : the real 

 roots are the small bunches of fibres which spring from it. 

 Such a root is very tenacious of life, as any portion in 

 which there is an articulation will grow : it decays at its 

 origin, and continues growing at its extremity. 



Emily. Then we must not seek for its origin but its 

 extremity, in order to eradicate it. 



Mrs. B. You cannot destroy it without digging up the 

 whole of the subterranean stem : it is this which renders 

 it so difficult to eradicate. 



Caroline. Yet surely not more difficult than the Ox- 

 eye and many other weeds, whose strong penetrating roots 

 seem to strike to the very centre of the earth ; for, however 



114 What root is most common and most simple in its form, and of 

 what does it consist"? 115. To what vegetables does this root belong'? 

 116. By what provision of nature are these plants more firmly fixed in 

 the ground"? 117. What description does Emily give of the radix 

 repens, or creeping root! 118. What does Mrs. B. say of the long 

 horizontal fibre'? 119. Where does this root begin to decay! 12Q. 

 . How can it be destroyed! 121. What weed is mentioned by Caro- 

 line, as being very firmly fixed in the ground! 



