KINDS AND FORMS OK LKAVES. 



47 



Oval ; broader than oblong, and with a flowing outline, as in Fig. 90. 

 Ovate ; oval, but broader towards the lower end ; of the shape of a hen's egg cut 

 through lengthwise, as in Fig. 91. 



Orbicular or Round ; circular or nearly circular in outline, as in Fig. 93. 



Linear. Lance- Oblong, 



shaped. 



Heart-shapetl. 



Of these the common- 



133. Some leaves taper downwards more than upwards. 

 est forms are the 



Oblanceolate, or Inversely lance-shaped ; that is, shaped like a lance with the 

 point downwards, as in Fig. 94. 



Spatulate ; roundish above, and tapering 

 into a long and narrow base, like the old 

 form of the apothecary's spatula. Fig. 95. 



Obovate, or Inversely ovate ; that is, ovate 

 with the narrow end at the bottom of the 

 leaf, as in Fig. 96. 



Cuneate or Wedge-shaped; like the last, 

 but with the sides narrowing straight down 

 to the lower end, in the shape of a wedge, 



134. Of course these shapes all run into one another by imperceptible degrees in 

 different cases. The botanist merely gives names to the principal grades. Inlci- 

 mediate shapes are described by combining the names of the two shapes the leaf 

 in question most resembles. For example : — 



Lance-linear, or linear-lanceolate, means between linear and lance-shaped. 

 Lance-ohlong, or oblong-lanceolate, means between oblong and lanceolate in shape. 

 Ovate-lanceolate, between ovate and lance-shaped ; and so on. 



135. Or else a qualifying word may be used, as somewhat ovate, slightly heart- 

 shaped, and the like. Thus, Fig. 92 is ovate in general form, but with the base a 

 little notched, i. e. somewhat heart-shaped. It is one of the kinds which depend upon 



