54 
OP THE ROOT. 
this nutritious substance is the product of a plant whose 
fruit (often termed potatoe balls) is poisonous. The root of 
some of the orchis plants consists of two tubers, resembling 
the two lobes into which a bean may be divided. Tuberous 
roots are knobbed as in the potatoe ; oval, as in the orchis ; 
abrupt , as in the plantain ; fasciculated , when several are 
bundled together, as in the asparagus, and several species of 
orchis. 
7th. Bulbous root ( Radix bulbosa.) A fleshy root of a bulbous 
or globular form. It seems to be like a large ball placed 
under ground, to enclose and protect the future plant. Bul- 
bous plants produce some of the earliest flowers of spring, 
and afford some of the most beautiful ornaments of the gar- 
den. Among them are the Hyacinth, the Crown Imperial, 
the Lily, and the Tulip, with a great variety of other splen- 
did and interesting flowers. The use of the bulb being to 
preserve the future flower from the effect of cold, we see 
the bountiful agency of Providence in the greater number 
of bulbous plants in cold countries. 
Bulbs seem to be analogous to the buds of trees, and in 
some plants they grow like buds upon the stems or branch- 
es ; as in one species of lily and the magical onion, in 
which the bulbs or onions grow upon the stalk in clusters 
of four or five ; they continue to enlarge, “until their weight 
brings them to the ground, here if not prevented, they take 
root. This is a viviparous plant, or one which produces its 
offspring alive; such plants as produce seeds, or such animals 
as produce their offspring from eggs, are called oviparous. 
Bulbs are solid , as in the turnips ; scaly , as in the lily, and 
tunicated or ovated, as in the onion. 
Solid. Scaly. Ovate. 
Bulbs usually die after the blossoming of the plant ; but 
new bulbs are often formed from the base or sides of the 
Different forms of tuberous roots — Bulbous root — Use of the bulb — Analogous 
to buds — Viviparous and oviparous plants — Different forms of bulbous roots 
— Difference in the production of plants by means of bulbs and seeds — 
