THE PARTS OF A FLOWERING PLANT 



II 



back from the tip with innumerable fine hair-like out- 

 growths, root-hairs (Fig. 36). 



16. The Functions of Roots. — The functions of roots 

 all have to do with maintaining the hfe of the individual 

 plant to which they belong, either by holding the plant 



Fig. 5. — Portion of root-system of a yellow birch (BetiUa lutea), showing 

 roots serving to anchor the plant to the substratum. 



firmly fixed in the ground {anchorage) (Figs. 4 and 5), 

 where food elements are abundant, by taking in these food 

 elements from the substratum {absorption), or by storing 

 up, for future use, food that has been made by the plant. 



