VIII. On the origin and formation of roots

My Dear Sir, In a former communication I have given an account of some experiments, which induced me to conclude that the buds of trees invariably spring from their alburnum, to which they are always connected by central vessels of greater or less length; and in the course of much subsequent experience, I have not found any reason to change the opinion that I have there given. The object of the present communication is to shew, that the roots of trees are always generated by the vessels which pass from the cotyledons of the seed, and from the leaves, through the leaf-stalks and the bark, and that they never, under any circumstances, spring immediately from the alburnum. The organ, which naturalists have called the radicle in the seed, is generally supposed to be analogous to the root of the plant, and to become a perfect root during germination; and I do not know that this opinion has ever been controverted, though I believe that, when closely investigated, it will prove to be founded in error.