28 LEAF-APEX, ETC. [CH. 



The art of describing a leaf well and accurately de- 

 pends on the judicious use of such terms as the above, 

 especially in combination e.g. ovate-lanceolate, linear- 

 oblong when the form approximates both of the outlines 



-5 l 4 



Fig. 10. Apex of leaves. 1 obtuse ; 2 acuminate ; 3 acute ; 4 mucronate; 

 5 retuse. 



involved, and considerable differences in the use of the 

 terms are indulged in by descriptive botanists of various 

 degrees of ability. As a rule the student will find the 

 really good observer uses terse and crisp terminology with 

 great effect, once the meaning of the terms is understood ; 

 and he should study the work of a good descriptive 

 botanist with a view to modelling his style of description 

 on it. 



These illustrative examples of outline, margin and 

 apex, have to be supplemented in descriptions by details 

 as to the venation, surface, texture, and even the colour and 

 other particulars in some cases. 



Examples of entire leaves are afforded by 



