52 
OP THE ROOT. 
It is said, that, in some cases, great care in the culture will 
prolong the life of annual plants beyond what appears to be their 
natural term of existence. 
FORMS OF ROOTS. 
Roots present a multitude of forms : a very general classifica- 
tion of them into fibrous , bulbous, and tuberous, is made by some. 
Without adopting this arrangement, we shall give one which 
appears more definite. 
There are seven varieties in the forms of roots, which seem 
mostly distinct : these are the branching, fibrous, spindle, creep- 
ing , granulated, tuberous , and bulbous .* 
1st. Branching Root , ( Radix ramosa.) This is the most com- 
mon kind : it consists of numerous ramifications, resembling 
in appearance the branches of a tree ; some of these branches 
penetrate to a great depth in the earth, and others creep al- 
most horizontally near its surface. Experiments have 
been made, which show, that branches by being buried in 
the soil may become roots ; and roots, by being elevated in 
the atmosphere become branches covered with foliage. We 
often see the roots of trees, which have been blown down, 
throwing out leaves. 
Branching roots terminate in fibres or radicles , which 
are in reality the proper roots ; as they imbibe through 
pores, the nourishment which the plant derives from the 
earths Nature furnishes this nourishment in the moisture, 
and Various salts which are contained in the soil. 
2(7. Fibrous Root, {Radix fibrosa.) This consists of a collec- 
tion of thread like parts ; as in many kinds of grasses, and 
most annual plants. The fibres usually grow directly from 
the bottom of the stem, as may easily be seen by pulling up 
a handful of the most common grass. 
3(7. Spindle root {Radix fusiformis.) This is large at the top, 
and tapering downwards ; as beets, carrots, radishes, and 
many of the biennial plants. This root is not well provid- 
ed with the means of imbibing sustenance, on account of a 
deficiency of radicles, sometimes being furnished with no 
more than one. That these radicles are the agents, by 
which the root is nourished, may be seen by immersing a 
young radish in water until every part is covered except 
the radicles ; the herbage will soon die ; but if only the 
* See Plate IV. 
' Classification of roots as founded upon their forms — Branching root- 
importance of the radicles— Fibrous root — Spindle root — Deficient radi- 
cles — 
