( *3« ) 
leaves, both in their fimple and compound 
characters, being underftood, thofe circum- 
ftances which conftitute a compound leaf 
fhould be confidered. It has been ftiown, in 
treating of fimple leaves, that they continue 
to be fo denominated, be their divifions ever 
fo deep, provided thofe divifions do not ex- 
tend to the mid-rib ; but when that takes 
place, the leaf becomes compound ; fo that 
it is in facl: a frnall branch compofed of a 
number of individual leaves, which feparate 
leaves are frequently furnilhed with each a 
petiole, uniting them to the common petiole, 
or foot-ftalk ; which, running through the 
whole, is called the mid-rib. In fame in- 
ftances it may not to a young botanifi be 
very eafy to diftinguifli a compound leaf from 
a branch ; but there are two rules, by which 
they may always be known afunder: ift, 
buds are never found at the bafe of the lobes, 
or divifions of a compound leaf, but are 
formed in the angle made by the whole with 
the ftem, from which it iffues; sdly, the 
branches of woody plants continue, after the 
leaves are fallen : this never happens with a 
compound leaf; for, however nearly the 
common foot-ftalk, from which it is formed, 
may refemble the other in appearance, it 
always 
