162 



THE LKAVES. 



narrowed or slender apex, it is said to be acuminate (Fig. 26S) : 

 when it terminates in an acute angle, it is said to be acute (Fig. 

 2 GO) : when the apex is an obtuse angle, or rounded, it is termed 

 obtuse (Fig. 270) : an obtuse leaf, with the apex slightly indented or 

 depressed in the middle, is said to be retuse (Fig. 272), or, it* more 

 strongly notched, emarginate (Fig. 273): an obovate leaf with a 

 wider and more conspicuous notch at the apex is termed obcordate 

 (Fig. 274), being a cordate or heart-shaped leaf inverted. When 

 the apex i<, as it were, cut off by a straight transverse line, the leaf 

 is said to be truncate (Fig. 271) : when abruptly terminated by a 

 small and slender projecting point, it is mucronate (Fig. 276) : when 

 tipped with a stronger and rigid projecting point, or cusp, it is cuspi- 

 date (Fig. 275). 



287. All these terms are equally applicable to expanded sur- 

 faces of every kind, such as petals, sepals, &c. : and those terms 

 which are used to describe the modifications of solid bodies, such as 

 stems and stalks, arc equally applicable to leaves when these affect 

 similar shapes, as they sometimes do. 



288. The whole account, thus far, relates to Simple Leaves, 

 namely, to tho.-.e which have a blade of one piece, however cleft or 

 lobed, or, if divided, where the separate portions are neither raised on 



285 288 



FIG 277 -287. Various forms of lobed and compound leaves. 



