OF THE ROOT. 39 



■^ulbs, grafting, or any other manner, ultimately dwindles and degen- 

 erates as if worn out with old age, and it becomes necessary to re- 

 new its vigour by producing a young plant from the seed. This is 

 the case with the potato, for the farmer often finds his stock degen- 

 erated, and is obliged to provide himself with new roots produced 

 from the seed. 



The specific character of plants is sometimes taken from the root, 

 and in some cases the specific name ; as solanum tuberosum, the po- 

 tato, and RANUNCULUS hulhosiis, the bulbous ranunculus. The tuber- 

 ous and bulbous roots distinguish those species from all others of the 

 families Solanum and Ranunculus. 



The forms of roots are so various, that it is impossible to give, 

 names to all ; even in the same species of plants, the root presents 

 many varieties of form. In tlie potato, for example, we see some 

 1-oots round, and of an even surface, others long and oval, and some 

 very knobbed and irregular ; but yet amidst all this variety there is 

 a prevailing uniformity, and we can usually at one glance distin- 



fuish a potato, by its form, from all other vegetables. It might, at 

 rst, have appeared as if there could be little interesting in the con- 

 sideration of roots, which are destitute of that symmetry of parts and 

 liveliness of colouring, which is exhibited in other organs of the 

 plant. We find, on casting a rapid glance over the face of the earth, 

 that all this variety in the form of roots is not without its peculiar 

 use. Mountains being exposed to winds, we find them covered with 

 plants which have branching roots with strong and woody fibres. 

 These fastening themselves into the clefts of rocks, take firm liold, 

 and the trees they support, seem undauntedly to brave the violence 

 of storms and tempests. Spindle roots abound in rich, soft grounds, 

 which they can easily penetrate. Damp and loose soils are rendered 

 fit for the use of man, by being bound together by creeping and 

 fibrous roots. We find here, as in every part of nature, proofs of a 

 wise Creator, who makes naught 



" In vain, o\- not for admirable ends." 



We have now described those roots which grow by being fixed in 

 the earth. But besides these, there are plants which are not fixed, 

 but fl'oat about in the water ; some grow upon other plants, and some 

 seem to derive sustenance from air alone. 



of the first kind, or aquatic roots, is the Lerana or duckmeat, which 

 grows in stagnant water, having thread-like roots, not confined to 

 any fixed place. The water star-grass,* previous to its blossoming, 

 floats about, and is nourished by its suspended fibres ; after flower- 

 ing, it sinks to the bottom, its roots become fixed, and its seeds ripen. 

 These seeds germinating, a new race of plants appear, wMch rise to 

 the surface of the water, blossom, and sink to the earth, producing in 

 turn their successors. Some of the Cryptogamous plants, particularly 

 of the genus Fucus, exist in a wandering manner, often forming 

 islands of considerable size. In the Gulf of Florida, the Funis natans 

 is very abundant; this, by voyagers, is often called gulf-weed, and is 

 sometimes found in masses extending many miles, and, 

 " Sailing on ocean's foam, 

 Where'er the surge may sweep, the tempests breath prevail." 



How strikingly analogous this poor weed to many a human being, 

 blown about on the ocean of hfe, by every breath of passion or ca- 



* Callitricke aquatica. 



Specific character and name taken from the roots— Roots of the same species some- 

 tunes vary in form— Utility in the variety of form in roots— Aquatic roots. 



