AND ORNAMENTAL TREATMENT. 29 



The specific name, bulbosus, alludes to the bulb-like expansion of the base of the stem, the 

 part that is ordinarily called the root ; - the term is, however, scarcely correct, as the true root is 

 seen in the mass of little fibres beneath the bulbous mass. It is not a true bulb. 



As the roots of plants are, under skilful treatment, capable of being made characteristic 

 and beautiful features in a design, we will just glance at a few points concerning the modifi- 

 cations they undergo for the benefit of the more inexperienced of our readers. The root may 

 be defined briefly as the descending portion of a plant — it is ordinarily that portion of a plant 

 that develops beneath the soil ; some plants, however, have their roots developed in the open 

 air. These are termed epiphytes : they grow upon other plants, but merely derive support from 

 them ; they do not, like the parasite, penetrate their substance or draw any nourishment from 

 the plants they cling to. A true root does not develop leaf buds, on its surface, nor scales, the 

 rudimentary leaf form ; hence any body, as, for example, the bulb of the White Garden Lily 

 (Lilium candidum), that has a clothing of scales, is not a root : the root proper will be found 

 springing from beneath it. Where the root is not simply a mass of fibres, as in grasses, it 

 ordinarily develops a central portion, a prolongation of the line of the stem : this is termed a tap 

 root ; from this central body lateral portions may be given off, while these in turn may branch 

 again. The root derives from the soil those chemical constituents that are necessary for the well- 

 being of the plant, and stores them away for future service, as well as for immediate need ; it 

 also gives the needful mechanical support to the plant, and ensures its stability. The simplest 

 form of root is the conical — the common Carrot is a familiar example of this ; at times, the 

 greatest diameter of such a root may, instead of being near the top, be some little distance down. 

 This modification renders it fusiform, or spindle-shaped, and of this the Radish affords a good illus- 

 tration ; while, at other times, the form becomes more globular, when it is termed napiform, from 

 Napus, a turnip — 'a plant that very well exemplifies this mode of growth. A great richness of 

 form is seen in the fasciculate root, where, as in the Asphodel, a series of conical roots all spring 

 from the base of the stem. A very similar form of root is seen in the Dahlia ; but in this case the 

 component parts are not conical, they are rather elliptical, as the greatest bulk of the stored-up 

 matter is deposited near the centre of each of the lateral members. Other characteristic forms are 

 the nodose, testiculate, moniliform, and annulated ; but having now called the attention of the 

 designer to the point by the few examples mentioned, we do not propose to go at any greater 

 length into descriptive details, as these may be found in any work on structural botany. Roots 

 are not always thus regularly developed : abnormal requirements produce adventitous or abnormal 

 results, and, under these circumstances, roots are given off from various parts of plants, as when 

 a cutting is " struck." In the Ivy the root-like members thrown out from the stems assist to 

 support the plant by inserting themselves in the crevices of the brickwork or bark, and in Sea- 

 weeds what appears to be the root is but a collection of suckers or fibres, and merely gives 

 mechanical attachment. In the Banyan tree these members develop from the branches ; on enter- 

 ing the soil they become true roots, and aid in the support, the nourishment, and the extension 

 of the tree. In the same way the aerial roots thrown out by the Mangrove and Screw-pine 

 become ultimately rooted in the soil beneath. These filaments may attain to great dimensions — 

 the aerial roots of some species of Clusia are from eighty to a hundred feet long. Occasionally, 

 even while in mid-air, ramifications are produced and lateral bodies developed : this may be well 

 seen in the Rhus radicans. In some plants, as in many grasses, underground stems are developed ; 

 but, from their scaly nature, they can be easily distinguished from the true roots. On a piece of 

 Roman earthenware, a rude form of vase, in the Museum of Economic Geology, London, the only 

 decoration is a series of forms in black, so identical in character with root forms, that there can be 

 but little doubt that some natural root afforded the suggestion. John, Duke of Bedford, brother 

 of Henry V., bore as one of his badges a. golden root. 



PLATE 16- 



" He prayeth best who loveth best 

 All things both great and small ; 

 For the dear God who loveth us. 

 He made and loveth all." — Coleridge. 



Out of the seven species of Campanula found wild in Britain, six have their blossoms on 

 long footstalks, the seventh only, the C. glomerata, the subject of the plate, having them sessile ; 

 this, therefore, affords an easy means of identification of the present species, and it is well that 

 such a means exists, as there are few plants more changeable in appearance than this. In one 



