LEAVES. 
Fig. 58. 
Fig. 
various 
leaves 
deltoid 
leaver 
as pos 
Fig. 68, A, is quaternate; the leaflets are cunei- 
form, very entire. B, a mimosa leaf ; it is twice bi- 
nate. C is equally pinnate ; with six pairs of pinnce. 
Fig. 59, a, is interruptedly piymate, the pinnae be- 
ing dissimilar in size, b is unequally pinnate ; the 
leaflets are stipuled. c represents the compound 
leaf of a fern ; it is pinnate ; the stipe or rachis large 
and compressed. 
Fig. 60, at a, is cylindrical, and fisttdons, as in the _ 
onion, where the vascular and cellular tissues are de- 
veloped so as to form a circle with a cavity in the center. 6 is a 
and dentate, c, a leaf which is sub-ovate, and bearded at the summit, 
N'oTE. — It is recommended to the pupil to practice drawing the 
which are given for examples ; and to collect as many specimens of 
sible. 
57. Leaves vary in magnitude^ from the small leaves of some 
of the forest-trees of om^ climate, to the spreading Palms and 
Bananas of the torrid zone. As we approach the torrid zone, 
the leaves increase in magnitude. 
a. "We can, however, scarcely credit the reports of travelers, who say, that tho 
Talipot-tree, in the Island of Ceylon, produces leaves of such size, that twenty per 
sons may be sheltered by one single leaf. Although this account may be exagger- 
ated, there is no doubt of the fact, that the leaves of the torrid zone are of a 
wonderful size ; and that whole families, in those regions, can make their habitations 
under the branches of trees. Here we see the care of a kind Providence, which, 
in countries parched the greater part of the year by a vertical sun, has formed 
such refreshing shelters. Mungo Park, in his travels in Africa, remarks upon the 
many important uses of palm-leaves, serving as covering to cottages, baskets for 
holding fruit, and umbrellas for defence against rain or sun. These leaves answer 
as a substitute for paper, and were so used by the eastern nations. The magnitude 
of leaves often bears no proportion to the size of the plants to which they belong. 
The oak, and most other forest-trees, bear leaves, which appear very diminutive, 
wlien compared with those of the cabbage, or burdock. 
58. Leaves, with respect to Duration^ are. Fugacious when 
tliey fall early, or soon after their first appearance. Deciduous^ 
falling at the commencement of winter ; this is the case with 
the leaves of most plants, as far as 30° or 40° from the equator. 
Persistent^ remaining on the stem and branches amidst the 
changes of temperature ; such plants are called Evergreen / aa 
the fir-tree and pine, and generally all cone-bearing and resin- 
57. Variation in the size of leaves — a, Leavps of the torrid zone. — 58. Duri^tiin of leaves. 
