THE LEAF 



93 



168. As to the base, its shape characterizes several forms, such as 



Cordate, or Heart-shaped (Figs. 88, 94), when a leaf of an ovate 

 form, or something like it, has the outline of its rounded base turned 

 in (forming a notch or sinus), where the 

 stalk is attached. 



Reniform, or Kidney-shaped (Fig. 96), 

 like the last, only rounder and broader 

 than long. 



Auriculate, or Eared, having a pair of 

 small and blunt projections, or ears, at 

 the base, as in one species of Magnolia 

 (Fig. 99). 



Sagittate, or Arrow-shaped, where such 

 ears are acute and turned downwards, 

 while the main body of the blade tapers upwards to a point, as in 

 the common Sagittaria or Arrowhead, and in the Arrowleaved Poly- 

 gon um (Fig. 98). 



93 



90 91 92 



89-92. Feather- veined leaves : 

 89, oblanceolate ; 90, 

 spatulate; 91, obovate; 

 92, wedge-shaped. 



96 9T 



93-97. Various forms of radiate- 

 veined leaves : 93, 94, cor- 

 date; 95, 96, reniform; 

 97, peltate. 



99 



100 



98-100. Feather-veined leaves: 98, 

 sagittate; 99, auriculate; 100, 

 halberd-shaped or hastate. 



Hastate, or Halberd-shaped, when such lobes at the base point out- 

 wards, giving the shape of the halberd of the olden time, as in another 

 Polygonum (Fig. 100). 



Peltate, or Shield-shaped (Fig. 97), is the name applied to a curious 

 modification of the leaf, commonly of a rounded form, where the foot- 

 stalk is attached to the lower surface instead of the margin, and there- 

 fore is naturally likened to a shield borne by the outstretched arm. 

 The common Watershield, the Nelumbo, and the White Water Lily, 

 and also the Mandrake, exhibit this sort of leaf. 



169. As to the apex, the following terms express the principal 

 variations : 



A cuminate, Pointed, or Taper-pointed, when the summit is more or 

 less prolonged into a narrowed or tapering point; as in Fig. 101. 



