8 
middle ; emarginate, if the depression is sharp ; 
acute or sharp-pointed, if it is sharp so that the 
two margins form an acute-angle; acuminate 
or taper-pointed, if the point is very long and 
tapering ; mucronate, if it is rounded and bears 
at the top a pointed process; /runcate, if it 
seems to be cut across. 
Shape. The following are the common terms 
used in descriptions to express the genera] out- 
lines of fronds or the parts of fronds. [Plate 
III.-C. and Plate IV.] They are said to be 
acicular when they are necdle-shaped ; /inear, if 
they are narrow with the two margins parallel ; 
subulate or awl-shaped, if equally narrow but 
tapering to a very fine point; Janceolate or 
lance-shaped, if elongated and gradually taper- 
ing towards the base and apex; oval or elliptt- 
cal, if like the last but relatively shorter and 
broader ; oblong, if of much the same breadth 
but rounded at the base and apex; ovate or 
egg-shaped, if broadest and rounded off towards 
the base and pointed towards the apex ; obovate, 
if just the reverse of ovate; cordate, if pointed 
at the apex and broad and notched at the base 
(this term is often applied to a frond or part 
of a frond if simply the base is notched); 
obcordate, if just the reverse of cordate; reni- 
