THE APPENDAGES. 21 



Twice compound, as in Fig. 81, 82, 83. 

 Thrice compound, still more divided. 



OF THE APPENDAGES. 



The Appendages are organs or parts not included under the 

 other principal divisions. Several kinds are enumerated. Of 

 these the principal are the following: 



1. The Stipule, or appendage to the leaf (Fig. 84*). These 

 organs are generally of a leafy nature, and are named in the same 

 manner as the leaves themselves, being egg-shaped, arrow-shaped, 

 serrated, obtuse, &c. They are commonly sessile and in pairs. 

 The stipule of grasses is frequently termed the ligule, or strap. 



2. The Eractea or Floral leaf (Fig. 85, a. 86, a. 89, a. b.) 

 a leafy appendage to the flower or its stalk. It varies greatly in 

 form, and is named like the leaves, which it frequently resembles 

 in colour and texture, although it is often much thinner and va- 

 riously coloured. 



3. The Spatha or Sheath (Fig. 87.), is a membranous bractea 

 which encloses the flower in its earliest stages, afterwards bursts 

 longitudinally, and is ultimately at a greater or less distance from 

 the flower. 



4. The Involucre (Fig. 88.) is a kind of bractea, consisting of 

 several leaves, placed at a distance from the flower. When at the 

 base of a common or general umbel, it is called the Common 

 Involucre (Fig. 89, a.) ; and when at the base of a partial umbel, 

 the Partial Involucre. (Fig. 90, b.) 



5. The Tendril (Fig. 90, 78.), a thread-like organ, a prolon- 

 gation of the midrib or veins of the leaves, which serves to attach 

 plants to some support. It may be simple or divided. 



6. Glands, small round bodies which secrete fluids. 



7. The Thorn or Spine (Fig. 91.), an acute appendage which 

 arises from the wood, being in fact an abortive branch. It may 

 be terminal, situated at the point of a branch ; axillar, at the 

 origin of the branch ; simple or branched. 



8. The Prickle (Fig. 92.), a production which arises from the 

 bark, having no connexion with the wood. 



9. Hairs, slender bodies of various degrees of fineness, by 

 which the surfaces of plants are covered. They are generally 

 simple, sometimes branched in various degrees. 



