6 



STATISTICAL METHODS. 



The form of a plane figure of irregular outline has 

 been expressed qualitatively by botanists, who have invented a 

 complicated nomenclature for the purpose; this is reproduced 

 in part here. 



Linear, more than thrice longer than wide and of nearly the 

 same breadth throughout (Fig. 3). 



Lanceolate, more than thrice longer than wide and tapering 

 towards one or both ends (Fig. 4). 



Oblong, twice to thrice as long as broad (Fig. 5). 



Elliptical, of the shape of an ellipse with an eccentricity 

 more than .5 (Fig. 6). 



Oval, elliptical, with eccentricity from .5 to .1. 



Orbicular, nearly circular, with eccentricity less than .1. 



Ovate, with the outline of a hen's egg, one end broader than 

 the other (Fig. 7). 



A 



FIGS. 3-7. 



Cuneate or cuneiform, wedge-shaped. 



Spatulate, rounded atone end, long and narrow at the other, 

 like a spatula. 



Acuminate, tapering to an angle of less than 15 (Fig. 8). 



Acute, ending in an angle of from 15 to 90 (Fig. 9). 



Obtuse., ending in an angle of over 90 (Fig. 10). 



Truncate, terminating as though cut off (Fig. 11). 



Retuse, with a re-entering obtuse end (Figs. 12-14). 



Serrate, with small saw-like teeth (Fig. 15). 



Dentate, with larger, more obtuse teeth (Fig. 16). 



Crenate, rounded teeth (Fig. 17). 



Repand, wavy margin, teeth broadly rounded, height less 

 than breadth (Fig. 18). 



