KINDS AND FOR3IS OF LEAVES. 



47 



Oval ; broader than ol3]ong, and with a flowing outline, as in Fig. 90. 

 Ovate ; oval, but broader towards the lower end ; of the shape of a hen's egg cut 

 through length wir-e, as in Fig. 91. 



Orbicular or Bound ; circular or nearly circular in outline, as in Fig. 93. 



93 



Linear. Lanre- 



Ovate. 



Heart-shaped. 



Orbicular. 



Oblanceo- Spatulate. 

 lale. 



Obovate, 



133. Some leaves taper downwards more than upwards. Of these the common- 

 est forms are the 



Oblanceolate, or Inversehj lance-shaped; that is, shaped like a lance with the 

 point downwards, as in Fig. 94. 



Spatulate ; roundish above, and tapering 

 into a long and narrow base, like the old 

 form of the apothecary's spatula, Fig. 95. 



Obovate, or Inversehj ovate ; that is, ovate 

 with the narrow end at the bottom of the 

 leaf, as in Fig. 96. 



Cuneate or Wedge-shaped ; like the last, 

 but with the sides narrowing straight down 

 to the lower end, in the shape of a wedge, as in Fig. 97. 



134. Of course these shapes all run into one another by imperceptible degrees in 

 different cases. The botanist merely gives names to the principal grades. Inter- 

 mediate shapes are described by combining the names of the two shapes the leaf 

 in question most resembles. For example : — 



Lance-linear, or linear-lanceolate, means between linear and lance-shaped. 

 Lance-oblong, or ohlong -lanceolate, means between oblong and lanceolate in. shape. . 

 Ovate-lanceolate, between ovate and lance-shaped ; and so on. 



135. Or else a qualifying word may be used, as somewhat ovate, slightly heart-- 

 shaped, and the like. Thus, Fig. 92 is ovate in general form, but with the base a 

 little notched, i. e. someiohat heart-shaped. It is one of the kinds which depend upon; 



Cuneate or • 

 Wetlge-sli.iped. 



I 



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