ROOTS. 71 



upwards, so the root is growing downwards. It 

 has grown from another part of the germ (p. 64.) 

 which is called the radicle* or 

 root -bud (Figs. 42, 43 r, and 48^). 

 Now let us see if we can find 

 the common dandelion. If we 

 can, we will dig it up with its 

 root. Have you broken it ? 

 At any rate you have enough of 

 it to see that it grows in a main 

 or chief root down into the 

 earth ; just the opposite to a 

 main upright stem, growing up- 

 wards into the air. A root, 

 which in its main or chief part 

 thus descends, is called a tap 

 root. You are familiar with it 

 in the thick and fleshy roots of 

 the carrot or turnip. You will 



... r Fig. 48. A Half a broad 



remember the shape of a com- bean5 B bean beginning to 



mon carrot or long radish. A grow,** the plumule, w the 



i*ciciiclc. 



root of that shape is called 

 fusiform^ or spindle-shaped. 



The root of the turnip, you know, is rounder. 

 Perhaps we may see some in the fields, and that 

 shape is called globose or napiform ; { other words 

 such as conical, tapering, etc., are used to distinguish 



* From the Latin " radix" a root. 



t From the Latin "fusts " a spindle, and "forma" form or shape. 



+ From the Latin " napus" turnip, and "forma" form or shape. 



