THE ROOT. 



47 



/ 



similar to tlie divisions of the stem, and are found o.\hil)ited in 

 the tbrcst trees and shrul)s. Tliis variety forms llio true type 



of roots ; and is the one from wliicli our 

 ideas of this or«xan are formed, as distin- 

 cuisliinfj it from tlic other organs of the 

 phmt. 



2nd. Tiie Fibrous Root or RtnJix fihro- 

 sa. Tiiis variety consists of numerous 

 tihres proceedings from the neck of the 

 plant, and may l>c seen in most grasses 

 and jzrains. Fi<i. 20. 



3rd. Fasciculated roots. When the fi- 

 bres of roots become enkirged by the de- 

 position of starch, they 

 form this variety of root 22 

 as is exhil)ited by the Dah- 

 lia, Pteony, d:c. fig. 21. 



4. Tiie Tap root, or 

 }conical root, wlien the root 

 sinks perpendicularly into 

 the eartli, and tapers re- 

 gularly from the base to 

 the a|)ex with very few 

 fibrous radicles, as in the Beet, Parsnip, A:c., 

 FifT. 22. This variety contains some of the most 

 important garden vegetables, and it is seldom 

 found of natiual growth, being almost unitbrmly 

 produced by cultivation. 



5. The Fusiform Root, or Radix fusiforjnis, where the 

 root tapers toward each extremity, as seen in 

 the Radish, it is known by the above name. 

 Fig. 23. 



6. The Napifonn Root is 2'3i 

 \ that variety which is very large 

 at the base, but tapers abruptly 

 as in the turnij). Fig. 24. 

 \ Tiie three preceding varieties 

 are generally called in distinc- 

 tion from the other varieties, 

 simple roots, the most of the 

 root beinjj confined to tlie main 

 axis, and sending ofi' few small 

 fibres. 



7. The Filiform Root consists of a single filament, and 

 is the root of some floating plants, as the Lemna. 



