48 THE FIRST BOOK OF BOTANY. 



confusion at first arises, it must be patiently borne. 

 We might add to the above definition of a compound 

 leaf, that leaflets are jointed to the stalk, while the 

 divisions called lobes never are. Such a statement 

 would save trouble at first, but it would make greater 

 trouble in the end. The truth is, that deeply-lobed 

 leaves pass by insensible gradations into compound 

 leaves, and compound leaves have their leaflets in all 

 stages of connection with the common stalk, from a 

 complete continuation of one into the other, up to a 

 perfectly-jointed connection. 



If the green matter of a leaf is continuous around 

 the veins and along the ribs, however narrow the 

 strip may be, it is quite correct to call such a speci- 

 men a simple leaf. 



Fio. 90. 



FIG. 91. 



Lobes. 



Leaflets. 



There is no way, for the pupil, out of this diffi- 

 culty except through a course of careful observation. 

 Doubtless many mistakes will be made ; but mistakes 

 are very useful in education. 



