II] 



LEAF-MARGIN 



27 



terms such as I have enumerated will be obtained, and the 

 further analysis can be attempted. 



In compound leaves, the terms referred to are applied 

 to the leaflet. 



A number of other useful terms will be employed 

 as we proceed, and their explanation is given in the 

 glossary. 



But we rarely find that the circumscription of a leaf 

 would accurately describe its shape in terms of the above 

 figures only, and the margin and apex especially usually 

 need additional description. 



The margin (Fig. 9), if unbroken, is termed entire (1); 

 but it is more commonly serrate (2), dentate (3), crenate (4), 

 sinuate (5), or cut (7) in various degrees ; the serrate 



Fig. 9. Margins of leaves. 1 entire; 2 serrate ; 3 dentate; 4 crenate; 

 5 sinuate; 6 bi-serrate; 7 cut or lobed. 



margin being very common, and defined by the saw-like 

 teeth pointing forwards. When the serrate teeth are 

 again serrate, as in Fig. 9 (6), the term bi-serrate is used. 

 The apex (Fig. 10) may be bluntly rounded, or obtuse (I), 

 or pointed in various ways e.g. acuminate (2), or merely 

 acute (3), or mucronate (4), or retuse (5), all of which occur 

 more or less commonly 



