OF SCALES. 281 



CHAPTER V. 



OF SCALES. 



We generally designate under the name of Scales 

 (Squamce) the little flat pointed bodies which are found 

 upon different parts of the surface of plants ; but there 

 are few terms under which more dissimilar objects have 

 been confounded ; the simple mention of them will be 

 sufficient to make their differences understood, and to 

 show how we must distrust, in natural history, those 

 vague denominations which are not founded upon 

 anatomy. 



The organs confounded under this name may be 

 referred to three principal classes : — appendages analo- 

 gous to hairs ; — excrescences of certain organs ; — and 

 foliaceous organs more or less abortive and reduced to a 

 rudimentary state. 



Scales analogous to hairs are : — either kinds of radi- 

 ating and peltate discs, as those of Elceaguns (PI. 3, 

 Fig. I.) which seem formed by the constant union of 

 several hairs radiating upon the same plane ; or of en- 

 larged hairs, scarious and dilated at the base, as those 

 on the petioles of Ferns. These appear, at first sight, to 

 differ much from hairs ; but if they be studied in the 

 whole family, every degree of size is met with, from 

 those which are entirely in the form of hairs, to those 

 which are large and dilated into scales. The membra- 

 nous expansions which crown the fruits of several Com- 



