THE ROOTS 31 



due to a thin layer of water which surrounded each 

 particle. It is this thin layer of water which is 

 taken up by the plant, and it contains the mineral 

 salts of the soil in solution. 



33. The soil and root-hairs adhere. If the speci- 

 mens which were torn up were examined, it would 

 have been seen, that in addition to the masses of 

 soil clamped by the roots, there was a thin layer 

 immediately surrounding each separate root which 

 did not come away easily. Pull up a young bean 

 plant or any other that may be convenient, and 

 examine the roots with a hand lens. The minute 

 particles of soil are seen to be adherent to small 

 glistening hairs which arise from the root, rather 

 than to the surface of the root itself. 



34. Root-hairs and the region from ivhich they 

 arise. The root-hairs are very delicate in structure, 

 and it may be seen very readily that they are not 

 found along the entire extent of the root. A better 

 view of these organs may be seen if some are grown 

 where they may not adhere to any solid particles 

 which partially hide them. To do this, cut a cir- 

 cular piece of blotting-paper the size of the bottom of 

 a plate, soak it in water, and lay it in a plate. Drop 



