OF THE ROOT. 
55 
original bulb, which in their turn produce plants. This is 
the fact with respect to the orchis tribe ; in which every year 
one bulb or tuber dies, and the other throws out a new stem; 
by this means it changes its position, though very slowly, 
since it takes but one very short step each year. The pro- 
duction by means of bulbs, is only a continuation of the old 
plant, while by means of the seed a new plant is brought forth. 
This is an important distinction ; and it is observed that 
in process of time, a plant continued by means of repro- 
duction, whether by bulbs, grafting, or any other manner, 
ultimately dwindles and degenerates as if worn out with old 
age, and it becomes necessary to renew its vigour by pro- 
ducing a young plant from the seed. This is the case with 
the potatoe which is ordinarily produced from the root; but 
the farmer often finds his stock degenerated, and is obliged 
to provide himself with new roots produced from the seed. 
The specific character of plants is sometimes taken from the 
root, and in some cases the specific name ; as solanum tuberos- 
um. , the potatoe, and ranunculus bulbosus , the bulbous ranunculus. 
The tuberous and bulbous roots distinguish those species from 
all others of the families Solanum, and Ranunculus. 
The forms of roots are so various, that it is impossible to give 
names to all ; even in the same species of plants, the root pre- 
sents many varieties of form. In the potatoe, for example, we 
see some, round and of an even surface, others, long or oval, and 
some very knobbed and irregular ; but yet amidst all this varie- 
ty there is a prevailing uniformity, and we can usually at one 
glance distinguish a potatoe, by its form, from all other vegeta- 
bles. It might, at first, have appeared as if there could be little 
interesting in the consideration of roots, which are destitute of 
that symmetry of parts and liveliness of colouring, which is exhib- 
ited in other organs of the plant. Yet you will see, from the 
view we have now taken of the forms and uses of the root, that 
inquiries respecting it might be far extended. We find here, as 
in every part of nature, proofs of a wise Creator, who makes 
nought 
“In vain, or not for admirable ends.” 
We have now described those roots which grow by being fix- 
ed in the earth. But besides these, there are plants which are 
not fixed, but float about in the water ; some grow upon other 
plants, and some seem to derive sustenance from air alone. 
Potatoes must be occasionally renewed from the seed — Specific character 
and name taken from the roots — Roots of the same species sometimes vary 
in form — 
