FIGURE OF LEAVES. 125 



The Spatulate leaf, Fig. 29, so named from its resem- 

 blance to a well known instrument of the surgeon, has 

 a round and somewhat broad extremity, with a long 

 slender base. The Rose Campion and Marsh Rose- 

 mary are well known examples. 



A Cuneate or Wedge shaped leaf, has a broad ex- 

 tremity tapering to a point at the base as in Carpet 

 Weed and Purslane. 



An oblong leaf tapering towards each extremity, as 

 in our field Lilies is termed Lanceolate. Fig. 30. 



Linear leaves are narrow, having their sides parallel, 

 as in the common Garden Pink and most Grasses. A 

 short acute linear leaf, is termed Subulate or Awlshap- 

 ed, and the Moss Pink is a good example ; very slender 

 linear leaves are also called setaceous , capillary, or 

 filiform, from their resemblance to bristles, hair or 

 thread. 



Acrose or Needleshaped leaves are linear, riged, 

 and generally evergreen, as in the Pines. 



A Deltoid or Triangular leaf has three prominent 

 angles, one of which is formed by its acute summit, as 

 in the Lombardy Poplar and White Birch. 



A Rhomboid or Diamond-shaped leaf has four pro- 

 minent bat somewhat oblique angles, its opposite sides 

 being nearly parallel, as in Purple Trellium and Al- 

 thea. 



Other leaves are Angular, as in the Moon-seed and 

 Colts-foot, but in these cases it is seldom necessary to 

 ascertain the exact number of angles, nor are they 

 sufficiently constant to furnish marks of distinction. 



The Cordate, or Heart shaped leaf, Fig. 31 occurs fre. 



quently, and its figure is well known. When its two lobes 



approach each other so as to form an apparent cavity 



above, it is then termed Cuculate or hooded, and one 

 * 12 



