ROOTS AND SEEDS. 163 



LESSON XXXV. 



ROOTS SEEDS BUDS. 



THAT part of a vegetable which is concealed 

 under ground is termed the root This consists of 

 a number of what we may call branches, that shoot 

 in all directions deep into the soil, and thus serve 

 as stays or supports to keep the tree in an upright 

 position. These branches divide and sub-divide 

 till the extreme twigs, or radicles, are as fine as 

 threads, and it is through these that vegetables are 

 nourished. They take up or absorb moisture, 

 and other matters for this purpose, which are then 

 carried by the tubes in the trunk to the leaves, 

 where they undergo a process which fits them for 

 nourishing the plant. 



Roots sometimes extend many yards along the 

 ground, more especially if they are placed in 

 rocky situations, where the soil is scanty, and only 

 to be found in the fissures and crevices. In such 

 cases, they shoot over broad spaces of bare rock, 

 and dive into every hole where soil can be found. 

 When an ash or oak tree has been planted in these 

 places, their roots may be seen straggling in all 

 ways, looking like knotted branches, and clinging 

 firmly to surfaces where we might suppose it 

 impossible for them to find support. 



The seeds of vegetables are exceedingly curious 

 in their make, and show striking proofs of the 



