200 Functions of Vegetables. 
Roots . — The roots of plants are intended to retain 
them firmly in the soil, and at the same time to derive 
nourishment for their support. The root is composed 
of two parts, denominated caudex, or body, and radicula , 
or fibre, the latter of which, as it alone imbibes nourish- 
ment, is essential to the plant. The turnip and the 
carrot form the caudex, or body of the root, while the 
fibres which proceed from them are to be considered 
as the proper roots. 
The fibrous extremities of roots, which draw nou- 
rishment from the earth, are produced annually, and 
these extremities have a peculiar structure ; for when 
the extremities of the fibre are cut off, the vegetation 
of the plant ceases till new fibres are formed ; and 
hence the practice of cutting off most of the fibres is 
in many cases extremely prejudicial. The peculiarity 
of structure alluded to may be observed in the fibres of 
bulbous roots which blow in water, in which case the 
extremity of each fibre seems to be included in a kind 
of fringed bag. 
Stems , &}C. of Plants . — The stem, stalk, or trunk of 
a vegetable, thus variously denominated in different 
kinds of plants, forms a support for the leaves and 
flowers, and a necessary communication between the 
root and those parts which are elevated above the sur- 
face of the earth, and in which the most important 
functions of vegetation are accomplished. The stems 
of plants are not less various in form, magnitude and 
consistence than the character and habits of the differ- 
ent kinds of vegetables to which they belong. This 
diversity affords many important distinctions for bota- 
