ih.eJ$euciOsk(Quercusmcana) and the insignificant young shoot. 

 In some cases no true leaves at all are developed during the 

 first year but only rudimentary leaves, small scaly structures, such 

 as are seen in Figs. I and 2, Plate I. In many cases the young 

 shoot of the seedling dies back year after year more or less 

 completely, while the development of the root-system steadily 

 progresses, such as frequently happens with Teak and SaL Even- 

 tually, when a vigorous root-system has been developed, a strong 

 shoot is sent up which is capable of ultimately forming a full- 

 sized mature shoot. The advantage of this procedure is often 

 obvious, such as is the case for example with those trees like 

 Sal, Harra (Terminalia Chebula), Jamun (Eugenia Jambolana), 

 and Mahua (Bassia latifolia), which, in the plains of India, 

 come into leaf during the hot dry season from March to May, 

 when the roots are obliged to send up large quantities of water 

 to supply the leaves, and it is therefore necessary that the roots 

 should be in the deep moist subsoil and not in the parched 

 surface soil. In such trees, therefore, a strong deep-going root- 

 system must be formed before a vigorous shoot can be 

 developed. 



9.^Although roots never direct- Root 



ly give rise to leaves, they are capable, under certain Suckera - 

 circumstances, of bearing buds which may develop into 

 leafy shoots called root-suckers, which are characteristic of 

 many of our forest trees and shrubs, such as Sissoo, Tendu 

 (Diospyros tomentosa) and many others. They are often found 

 springing from roots which have been exposed to the light at 

 the sides of a road- cutting, or on the banks of streams, for 

 example. 



10. A typical root is usually Fibrous and ' 

 cylindrical in shape and when fine and thread-like it is 

 termed fibrous. Many plants manufacture more food material 

 than is required for immediate consumption, this excess 

 material being stored until it is wanted. The subterranean 

 roots and the lower part of the stem are favourite reservoirs 

 for such food and as they are stuffed with the material they 

 become much swollen and lose their ordinary shape. In some 

 plants, such as the Radish, Turnip, Carrot and Beet, the tap- 

 root is swollen, in others, such as the Dahlia, the secondary 

 roots are stuffed. Such swollen roots are said to be tuberous. 

 If the swollen root is broader in the middle and tapers towards 

 both ends, like a spindle, it is said to be fusiform, if it is like a 

 turnip, broader than high, it is napiform. and if tapering re- 

 gularly from a broad base to the tip like a carrot, it is conical. 



