230 THE STORY OF PLANT LIFE 
Decussate.—In alternate pairs, which cross at right angles. 
Definite.—When the number of parts is invariably the same, or 
a multiple. 
Deflexed.—Bent in a curve continuously. 
Dehiscence.—The opening of a fruit or anther along a definite 
line. 
Dehiscent.—Opening by a regular line or suture. 
Dentate.—Toothed. 
Denticulate.— With small teeth. 
Dichasial.— When each fresh branch of an inflorescence bears on 
it two new branches, as in gentians. 
Dichogamy.— When theanthers and stigma are matureseparately. 
Diclinous.—Unisexual; bearing the male and female flowers on 
different plants. 
Digitate.—With narrow lobes excavated nearly to the base, like 
fingers. 
Dimorphic.—Having two forms of flower, a device to ensure 
cross-pollination. 
Dicecious.—When the male and female flowers are on separate 
plants. 
Disc.—The central flat head of the receptacle which bears the 
florets in Composit, etc., or a fleshy staminiferous disc between 
stamens and pistil when the inner whorl! of stamens is abortive. 
Distichous.—lIn two rows, as the leaves in the Elm. 
Downy.—With short close hair. 
Drupe.—An indehiscent 1-celled fruit, fleshy exteriorly, hard 
within. 
Drupel.—A small drupe, as raspberry. 
Effuse.—Spread out. 
Elaiosomes.—Nutritive parts of the seeds in broom and furze. 
Elliptic.—Oval, and rounded at each extremity. 
Embryo.—The plant in its earliest stage, before germination. 
Endocarp.—A hard shell or stone. 
Endosperm.—Tissue formed within the embryo-sac sometimes 
serving as reserve material for the embryo on germination. 
Ensiform.—Sword-shaped. 
Entomophily.—Pollination by aid of insects. 
Epicalyx.—A stipular structure or sort of calyx in mallow, ete. 
Epicarp.—The surface skin on a drupe, as in a cherry. 
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