ON ROOTS. 35 



One of these perishes every year, and another shoots up 

 on the opposite side of the remaining lobe. The stem 

 rises every spring from between the two lobes, and, since 

 the new lobe does not occupy the same p'lace as its prede- 

 cessor, the orchis every year moves onwards, though to 

 the distance only of a few lines. 



Caroline. Thus, in the course of a certain number 

 of years, the orchis may make the tour of a garden, pro- 

 vided the gardener does not interrupt it in its progress. 



Mrs. B. There are some plants which, like the In- 

 dian fig-tree, shoot out roots from the stem many feet 

 above ground : they grow downwards, bury themselves 

 in the soil, and new stems ultimately spring up from 

 them ; but the epidermis of these roots are never green, 

 like that of young branches. 



Emily. I recollect reading an account of a tree which 

 bears some analogy to this fig-tree. It was situated at 

 the top of a high wall, and its roots grew down the side 

 of the wall till they reached the ground, a distance of 

 about ten feet, arid then buried themselves in the soil. 



Mrs. B. This account is given by lord Kaimes of 

 a plane-tree, situated among the ruins of the New Ab- 

 bey monastery in Galloway. But the analogy with the 

 fig-tree is only apparent, this singular growth of the 

 roots being merely the result of local inconvenience. 



Caroline. I once heard of a curious experiment per 

 formed on a willow-tree. It was dug up, and reversed, 

 the head of the tree was planted in the ground, and the 

 roots, which were now uppermost, stretched out like 

 naked branches in the air. In the course of time, the 

 roots were transformed into branches, and the branches in- 

 to roots. But how could the latter acquire spongioles ? 



Mrs. B. They did not ; but roots sprouted from the 

 subterranean branches, and branches shot from the un- 

 buried roots. This is, however, an adventurous experi- 

 ment, which does not often succeed. 



143. What description is given of its growth'? 144. What ac 

 count is given of some plants which resemble the Indian fig-tree'? 145 

 Emily describes a tree which she thinks analogous what is it! 146. 

 What does Mrs. B. say of this tree! 147. Caroline mentions some 

 experiments made with the willow tree what are they! 148. What 

 question does she then ask! 149. What is the reply of Mrs. B.! 



