MONOCOTYLEDONS AND DICOTYLEDONS 



235 



is said to be pi7i7iate or pinnately veined, and inclines to 

 elongated forms. In the other case several ribs of equal 

 prominence enter the blade and diverge through it (Fig. 

 218). Such a leaf is yalmate or palmately veined^ and in- 

 clines to broad forms. 



(4) Cyclic flowers pentamerous or tetramerous. The 

 flowers '' in flves " are greatly in the majority, but some 



Fig. 218. Leaves showing pinnate and palmate branching; the one to the left is from 

 sumach, that to the right from buckeye.— Caldwell. 



veryi prominent families have flowers ^'in fours." Tliere 

 are also dicotyledonous families with flowers ^^in threes," 

 and some with flowers " in twos." 



It should be remembered that no one of the above char- 

 acters, unless it be the character of the embryo, should be 

 depended upon absolutely to distinguish these two groups. 



