8o LEA VES. [CHAP. 



bipartite if divided nearly to the base ; it is trijid or tripartite 

 if there be three divisions. The base of the blade in cor- 

 date, sagittate, and hastate leaves we have already figured. 

 If the base of a sessile leaf clasp the stem, it is termed 

 amplexicanl. If the lobes at each side of the base of an 

 amplexicaul leaf be united together on the side of the stem 

 opposite to the midrib, so that the stem appears to pass 

 through the blade, the leaf is perfoliate. If the bases of 

 two opposite leaves be united on each side of the stem, 

 the leaves are said to be connate. Sometimes, in sessile 

 leaves, the margins of the blade are continued down the 

 sides of the stem, forming wings to it. Such leaves are 

 decurrent. When the petiole joins the blade upon its under 

 surface and not at the margin, as in the Sacred Lotus 

 {Nehmibiiini), the leaf is said to be peltate (Fig. 54). 



The margin of the leaf varies, being sometimes perfectly 

 continuous and not indented or toothed at all, when it is 

 termed entire ; it is serrate if with sharp teeth directed for- 

 ward, like those of a saw ; dentate if with sharp teeth directed 

 outward ; crenate if with rounded teeth. 



The sw'face may be more or less hairy, or altogether 

 without hairs, when it is termed glabrous. Different terms 

 are used to denote different kinds and degrees of hairiness, 

 but it is not important to learn these at present. 



12. Taking up again a specimen of the Pea or Rose, 

 observe on each side of the base of the petiole a leafy organ 

 somewhat resembling a leaflet. In the Pea these organs 

 are very large — larger, indeed, than the leaflets. These are 

 the stipules. Leaves provided with stipules are called 

 stipulate, and leaves destitute of them, as those of Mustard, 

 xstipulate. Like leaves and leaflets, the stipules vary in 

 form, but they are usually small, and often fall away very 

 early, as in the Banyan and Bread-fruit. 



