5G 
OF THE ROOT. 
Of the first kind, or aquatic roots, is the Lemna or duckmeat, 
which grows in stagnant water, having thread-like roots, not 
confined to any fixed place. The water star grass* previous to 
its blossoming, floats about, and is nourished by its suspended fi- 
bres ; but after flowering, it sinks to the bottom, its roots become 
fixed and its seeds ripen. These seeds germinating, a new race 
of plants appear, which rise to the surface of the water, blossom 
and sink to the earth, producing in turn their successors. Some 
of the Cryptogamous plants, particularly of the genus Fucus, 
exist in a wandering manner, often forming islands of consid- 
erable size. 
We find roots which grow on other plants, appearing to de- 
rive sustenance from their juices. These are called parasites ; 
this term is often applied to persons who are willing to live in 
dependence upon others ; but so despicable does this trait of 
character appear, that we almost conceive it a kind of meanness 
even for a plant to live without elaborating its own food. 
Parasitic plants are common in tropical regions ; sometimes 
many kinds are found upon the same tree, presenting a curious 
variety of foliage. In our climate, except in the Cryptogamia 
family ; as lichens, mosses, &c. we have but few genera of 
these plants.j The Dodder and Misseltoe are celebrated parasi- 
tic plants. 
Some plants grow without roots, these are called air plants : 
they are furnished with leaves or stems which seem to inhale, 
but not to exhale fluids ; their substance is usually fleshy and 
juicy ; some of them flourish in the most dry and sandy places, 
exposed to a burning sun ; as the Stapelia, sometimes called the 
vegetable camel. The Epedendrum grows and blossoms for 
years suspended from the ceiling of a room and nourished only 
by air. 
STEMS AND STALKS. 
The trunk or stem is the body of the vegetable ; whether it 
be a tree like the oak, a shrub like the lilac, or an herb like the 
peppermint or sage ; its use is to sustain the branches, leaves, 
and flowers ; and it serves as an organ of communication be- 
tween them and the root ; conducting to the root the nourish- 
ment which the other parts of the plant imbibe from the air, and 
* Callitriche aquatica. 
t In the vicinity of Troy I have discovered a very beautiful species of the 
Ptcrospora growing' upon a branch of the whortle berry. Its colour was 
a bright crimson, which contrasted finely with the white flowers, and green 
leaves of the plant on which it grew. 
Aquatic roots — Parasitic plants — Air plants — Trunk — Its use — 
