9 
form or kidney-shaped, if rounded at the apex, 
broader than long and notched at the base ; 
obrentform, if the reverse of reniform; cuneate 
or wedge-shaped, if broad at the apex and- 
tapering towards the base; sagittate or arrow- 
shaped, if shaped like an arrow-head with the 
two basal lobes directed backwards ; hastate or 
halberd-shaped if the two basal lobes are 
directed outwards; oblique or unequal, it the two 
halves of the frond are not equal; falcate or 
sickle-shaped, if curved like a sickle; aurtcled, 
if they bear more or less rounded or ear-shaped 
lobes ; the lobes are then termed auricles. 
It will be noted that in actual descriptions 
the terms above explained are often coupled 
together as linear-lanceolate, elliptic-ovate, and 
so on, to suggest that the shape is scmething 
between the two. . 
Texture. The texture of fronds varies very 
much in the different species. It is said to be 
(a) membranous or membranaceous, if it is thin 
like a membrane; (b) herbaceous, if it has the 
texture of a herb; (c) coriaceous, if it is lea- 
thery ; (d) fleshy or carnose, if it is succulent. 
Surface. The surface of fronds may be 
quite smooth or covered, with hairs, glands or 
scales, or they are covered, particularly the 
