8o Plants and their IVays in Sonth Africa 



part is nearer the centre, which permits bending in the soil over 

 obstacles and enables the root to resist the strain of the parts 



Fig. 77. — Root of carrot. A, showing rifts made by latei"al roots ; B, longi 

 tudinal section. 



above and so it is fitted to support the plant. The rigid portion 

 of a young stem is nearer the rirrumference. This enables it 

 to bear a great weight and to resist the wind. 



Microscopic Appearance of Roots. — As a root is pro- 

 tected by the root cap, the growing point is just behind the 

 tip. Three more or less distinct regions ' may be made out 



^ These three regions are more or less evident in tiie stem. Reference 

 to them is con\'enient, though les.s importance is attached to them than 

 formerly. 



