A MANUAL OF BOTANY 15 



4. Root Expkrimkxts 



1. Spinach roots, cut off near tlie tip and placed in shal- 

 low eosin (water solution). 



After twenty-four hours, cut off and make long . section 

 to find the path of absorbed material in the roots. Shows 

 upward path of absorbed liquid. 



2. Oats between glass plates. 



As roots grow record direction and rotate plates ; wait 

 twenty-four hours and record direction again. Repeat the 

 rotation and observe the repeated effect on the roots and the 

 green shoot direction also. 



3. Root osmosis experiment. 



Hollow out a fresh carrot from the top, taking care not to 

 pierce the walls, fit in a rubber cork (very tightly) pierced 

 by a long glass tube, fill the cavity, through tube or before 

 its insertion, with syrup water, slightly colored with some 

 anil in stain, place the carrot (with outer skin well scraped), 

 in a vessel of pure water, and securely stay all parts of the 

 apparatus. Observe the results from day to day, apply this 

 experiment to the root in its absorption of water and dis- 

 solved food, seeking in the plant for analogues of the ex- 

 periment parts. An egg osmosis experiment is given in 

 many books, but this is easier to set up, and is more logical. 



4. Corn seedling in thistle tube, placed in pure water. 

 Observe the remarkable root growth and explain also the 



duration of life in the corn living apparently on water. 

 Through what may other food be taken ? 



5. Seeds sown in shallow soil on marble slab. 



Allowed to grow for some time and then removed. Ob- 

 serve the effect on slab. Seek for explanation and bearing 

 on root work. 



6. Seeds in sponge kept moist. 



As roots grow, observe their direction witli reference to 

 gravity and moisture, and apply to growing plants. 



