SIMPLE LEAVES.—APEX OF LAMINA. 169 
such a term ought properly to be reserved for a compound leaf 
when the leaflets are arranged in a pedate manner (page 178). 
Besides the above modifications of palmately-veined leaves, 
other variations also occur, in consequence of the lobes, parti- 
tions, or segments of the lamina becoming themselves divided, 
either in a pinnately-veined or palmately-veined manner, and 
terms are used accordingly, the application of which will be at 
once evident from what has been already stated. 
3. Apex.—This varies much in the blades of different 
leaves. Thus the apex is obtuse or blunt, when it is rounded 
(figs. 344 and 346), as in the Primrose ; it is retwse when it is 
obtuse, with a broad shallow notch in the middle, as in the 
Red Whortleberry (Vaccinium Vitis-idxa) and the leaflets of 
Logwood ; or when under the same circumstances the notch is 
sharp, or nearly triangular, it is emarginate, as in some species 
Fic. 335. Fra. 336. 
Fig. 335, Leaflet of a species of Cassia, It is obovate in figure or outline, 
somewhat oblique at the base, and emarginate at its apex. Fig. 336. 
Branch of the Tulip-tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) with flower and leaves. 
' The latter terminate abruptly, hence they are said to be truncate. 
of Cassia (fig. 335), and in the common Box (Buxus semper- 
virens). When the lamina terminates very abruptly, as if it 
had been cut across in a straight line, the apex is truncate, as 
in the leaf of the Tulip-tree (fig. 336) ; or if under the same 
circumstances the termination is ragged and irregular, as if it 
had been bitten off, it is premorse, as in the leaf of Caryota 
wrens. When the apex is sharp, so that the two margins form 
an acute angle with each other (jigs. 338 and 345), it is acute or 
sharp-pointed ; when the point is very long, and _ tapering 
(fig. 343), 1t is acuminate or taper-pointed, as in the leaf of 
the White Willow and common Reed; or when it tapers 
gradually into a rigid point, it is cuspidate, as in many Rubi. 
When the apex, which is then commonly rounded, has a 
short hard or softened point standing on it, it is mucronate 
(fig. 342), as in the leaf of Statice mucronata and Lathyrus 
pratensis. 
4. General Outline or Figure.—By the general outline or 
