130 MORPHOLOGY. 



the choice of words, it having appeared sufficient in most instances that 

 these terms applied to the case immediately in point, whilst an incidental 

 accessory signification of the word often rendered it wholly inapplicable 

 in its general interpretation. 



70. As the comparison with geometrical figures cannot be carried 

 out very far, and as the designations of resemblance with other 

 known objects may easily become too vague and uncertain, we must 

 have recourse to some artifices to aid us in the description of forms. 

 They are partly described as follows : 



I. In the first place the general outlines must be defined, and 

 this is done by supposing all the external points in a superficies to 

 be united by a line, and those of a corporeal form by a surface, 

 and then applying some term to this line or surface. We thus 

 obtain the following designations (fig. 112.): - 





A. The greatest transversal diameter in the centre. 



1. About twice as long as it is broad, oval (a). 



2. Three or more times as long as it is broad, oblong (Z>). 



B. The greatest transversal diameter in the lower third. 



1. Twice as long as it is broad, ovate (c), or if the greatest 

 diameter lie in the upper third it is conversely ovate (obovafus). 



2. Three and more times longer than it is broad, lance-shaped 

 (lanceolatus) (d). 



C. Broader than it is long; rounded off at the one extremity, 

 and excavated at the other, kidney-shaped (reniformis) (e). 



D. The upper part broader than the lower, which ends in a 

 decidedly narrower portion: in bodies this form is club-shaped 

 (clavatus)', in surfaces it is spatula- shaped (spathulatus) (f). 



II. The main division of these forms is further given according 

 to the following gradations : for instance, we draw the divisions 

 upon an imaginary medial line, or around a central point (fig. 1 13.), 

 and divide the distance between this line or point to the circum- 

 ference into two parts. 



