Page:An introduction to physiological and systematical botany (1st edition).djvu/137

 Rh, ''Engl. Bot. t. 928, Arundo arenaria, t. 520, and Elymus arenarius, t.'' 1672.

3. Radix fusiformis. A Spindle-shaped, or Tapering Root. Of this the Carrot, Parsnep and Radish are familiar examples. Such a root is formed, on the principle of a wedge, for penetrating perpendicularly into the ground. It is common in biennial plants, but not peculiar to them. The caudex, which is the spindle-shaped part, abounds with the proper secreted juices of the plant, and throws out numerous fibres or radicles, which are in fact the real roots, as they alone imbibe nourishment.

4. Radix præmorsa. An Abrupt Root, is naturally inclined to the last-mentioned form, but from some decay or interruption in its descending point, it becomes abrupt, or as it were bitten off. ''Scabiosa succisa, Devil's-bit Scabious, Engl. Bot. t. 878, Hedypnois hirta, t. 555, and some other Hawkweeds, have this kind of root, the old opinion concerning which cannot be better described than in Gerarde's Herbal, under the plant first named, p.'' 726.