OF LEAVES. 



53 



Svniate, from the Latin sinus, a bay ; this term is applied to leaves 

 which have their margins indent- 

 ed witli deep roundish divisions, 

 as the leaf at b, Fig. 43. 



Emarginate, denotes a slight 

 er indentation, as the leaf at c 

 Fig. 43. 



Flabelliform, or fan-shaped, 

 (from fabeUum, a fan ;) this 

 form of the leaf is seen in 

 some of the palms. In China 

 they are used for fans, and sold 

 to foreign merchants for thi* 

 same purpose. Fig. 44 is a re 

 presentation of the dwarf ;an 

 palm. 



Stellated, or whorled, (from stella, a start ;) 

 this tei m IS applied both to leaves and flowers, 

 and relates to the manner in which they grow 

 around the stem, as in Fig. 45. 



Tubular: there are many varieties of this 

 kmd ; the leaf of the onion is a complete tube. 

 The Raiiacenia or side-saddle flower lias the 

 sides of Its leaf united, forming a cup which is 

 found filled with liquid, supposed to be a secre- 

 tion fiom the vessels of the plant. In some 

 countries of the torrid zone is the wild pine, 

 (Tillandsia,) the leaves of which are hollowed 

 out at their base, so as to be capable of containing more than a pint 

 of fluid. A traveller says, "by making an incision into the base of 

 this leaf, and collecting in our hats the water which it contained, we 

 could obtain a sufficient supply for the reUef of the most intense 

 thirst." This water is not a secretion from the plant, but is deposited 

 during the rainy season. 



The pitcher- 

 plant (Nepenthes 

 distillatoria, Fig 

 46,) affords a most 

 singular, tubular 

 appendage, to its 

 lanceolate leaf; 

 beyond the apex 

 of the leaf a, the mid-rib extends in the form of a tendril ; at the ex- 

 tremity of this tendril is the cylindrical cup or pitcher 6, about six 

 inches in length and one and a half in diameter ; it is furnished with 

 a iid, c, which opens and shuts with changes in the atmosphere. The 

 cup is usually found filled with pure water, supposed to be a secre- 

 tion from the plant. Insects which creep into it are drowned in the 

 liquid, except a small species of shrimp, which lives by feeding on the 



Sinuate— Emarginate— Flabelliform— Stellated— Tubular. 

 5* 



pg. 45 



