THE WORK OF ROOTS AND STEMS 75 



we are alive, and the beating of our hearts and the 

 taking in of air by our lungs go on as usual, though 

 the body is quiet. 



All through the winter a tree is alive, and work is 

 going on inside it, though it needs little food or drink. 

 Not till the beginning of spring, the first arrival of 

 mildness, are active growth and change seen by us ; 

 very early in the spring with some kinds of plants, and 

 not till almost summer with others, but always with 

 the coming of sun- warmth. 



Then, indeed, the root-hairs start upon their task 

 with energy; and quantities of liquid are sucked in to 

 find their way upward through the roots into the 

 trunk and branches. 



And thus comes about one of the greatest marvels 

 known in Nature. But of this we must speak in another 

 chapter. 



" Full many a glorious morning have I seen 



Flatter the mountain-tops with sovereign eye, 

 Kissing with golden face the meadows green, 

 Gilding pale streams with heavenly alchemy." 1 



" Lo, here the gentle lark, weary of rest, 



From his moist cabinet mounts up on high, 

 And wakes the morning, from whose silver breast 



The Sun ariseth in his majesty: 

 Who doth the world so gloriously behold, 

 The Cedar-tops and hills seem burnished gold." 2 



1 Shakespeare. 8 Ibid. 



