PART I. 



ROOT, (Radix?) 



The ROOT is the descending part of a vegetable 

 which enters the earth or other substance in search of 

 nourishment for the plant. 



The Root consists of two parts. 



1. Caudex, the body of the root. 



2. Radicula, Radicle, the fibre.* 



The latter only is necessary, being the part which 

 imbibes nourishment. 



Roots are distinguished by their duration, form, &c. 



I. Duration. 



1. ANNUAL, (amltia) belongs to plants which perish 

 altogether within a year, the species being continued by 

 means of srecls produced. Ex. Barley. 



2. BIENNIAL, (tiennis) such plants as are produced 

 from seed either in the spring, sum me iy or autumn, and 

 Jiving through tiro ensuing winter produce 'flower and 

 fruit the following summer and then die. Ex. Carrot, 

 Radish. 



* Observation. The term biennial is applied to any plant that is 

 produced one year and fk>wers another, provided it flowers but 

 once, whether that event takes place the second year as usual, or 

 \\hether, from unfavourable circumstances, it may happen to be 

 deferred to any future time. 



3. PERENNIAL, (perennis*) such as live and blossom 

 through many succeeding seasons to an indefinite peri- 

 od. Ex. Trees and many herbaceous plants. 



Observation. 1. The herbage is often annual while the root is 

 perennial : such plants are notwithstanding termed perennial. 



2. The duration of plants is marked by the following 1 signs. 

 O Annual, Biennial, Jj S'.rubby, % Perennial. 



* 1 he fibres, particuTarly their extremities which imbibe nourishment, are in every 

 case strictly muuiu!. After the cessation of their functions in autumn arid before 

 their reproduction in the spring, w the time to transplant vegetables successfully. 



