SPECIES. ROOT. 59 



be observed of the Species, that although they 

 also are in some instances distinguished by the 

 fructification, yet that they are more commonly 

 characterised by the Root, the Stem, the Leaves, 

 the mode of flowering, and appendages of the 

 plant. 



For example : having ascertained a plant as 

 belonging to the genus Stellaria, or Stitch vv^ort, w^c 

 desire to know what Species or what kind of Stitch- 

 wort it should be called. We proceed, therefore, 

 to a farther examination of its structure ; and if 

 we find that it has a trailing stem, flowers upon 

 subdivided stalks, leaves broad, spear-shaped, 

 callous at the point, and smooth-edged, and a 

 calyx longer than the petals, we are satisfied that 

 it can be no other than that species which is termed 

 " Uliginosa," or bog Stitchwort, pi. 23. 



The organs of fructification, in their various 

 forms having been considered, with reference to 

 the Classes, Orders, and Genera, the other parts 

 of a plant must now be illustrated. 



First the Root, of which there are various 

 kinds : 



1 . Fibrous, the most simple of all roots, composed 

 of fibres only, as in most of the grasses, 

 fig. 1, pi. 24. 



