54 
VEGETABLE STRUCTURE. 
Thus we learn the true nature of a radical Fibre. It is not a new pro- 
duction from the Root; but is-truly a part of the fubftance of the Root 
itfclf, firft ralfed in a fmall blilter on its flefhy part, and then carried out- 
ward into a confiderable length. It is in form a lengthened cone ; hollow, 
and crowned at the extremity with a protuberant head. 
Its conic cluhers of Fibres, and the Pith, are all that remain to be con- 
fidered ; for tho’ it receives nothing from the Pith or conic Clufters in the 
body of the Root, there are fuch cones of Vefiels in the Fibre, and there 
runs along its center all the way, a certain quantity of abiblute Ih’th. 
We have feen the firil appearance of the Fibre was a blifter on the flefhy 
fubftance in the body of the Root. The Pith of the Fibre is no other 
than a matter thrown off from the outer furface of the Flefli under the 
original blider, and is lengthened with the reft of the parts into the entire 
Fibre. The conic Cluftcrs, which are original produdions of the Flefti 
in all parts of the Plant, are in tiie fame manner formed in this. 
The Pith is formed as that in the body of the Root ; and the plain 
manner wherein we fee this done in the prefent part, confirms the dodrine 
with regard to the origin of the other. In fine, a Fibre of a Root is no 
other than a long procefs of the body of the Root itfelf, increafing the 
furface to draw more nourifliment. Fig. i 8, is a longitudinal fedion of tlie 
fame Root reprefented at 17, with the new Fibres more advanced in 
growth ; at 16, c, is a Fibre yet longer: and at Fig. 23, is a fplit Fibre, 
with a piece of the Root magnified. 
C H A P. xir. 
of the Ascendant Shoots. 
'T^PIE body of the Root, in its courfc of growth, at the fume time that 
it pufties out Fibres from the fides and lower part, fends alfo from 
the upper part, or crown, ftioots which are to furnifli Stalks and Leaves. 
The origin and ftrudure of thefe are yet to be examined : and we fliall 
then have cleared the Root, and may advance to the body of the Plant, 
its Leaves, and its Frudification. This part of the Root, and the origina- 
tion of Stalks and Leaves from it, may be confidered in two views, as 
they appear two ways in Nature: i. As the Germ, or Bud for a future 
Plant, is placed on the abfolute crown or fummit of the Root, 19, a; and 
2, 
