INTRODUCTION. 
XV 
spoken of, and also entire and compound leaves as de- 
fined by Linnaeus ; nor has it been thought advisable to 
employ all the terms now given to every modification of 
fruit, or those applied to inflorescence, from a considera- 
tion of its definite or indefinite nature. 
The terms smooth and round (including rounded and 
roundish) are used in common language and by various 
authors in different ways, and seldom with ambiguity ; but 
after the impression of this edition was considerably ad- 
vanced, it was observed that these expressions (particu- 
larly among the Monocotyledonous plants), although 
quite intelligible to one who already knew the plant or 
its allies, might be readily misunderstood by others ; and 
in the latter part of the volume it was found necessary 
to substitute words of a more precise meaning. It may 
be proper, therefore, to explain that in it glabrous is 
applied when without hairs, pubescence, or such like 
appendages ; even ( Icevis ) when without elevations or de- 
pressions ; and smooth when there are no minute points, 
rendering the object scabrous or rough to the touch. 
Round has been restricted to the circumscription of 
a flat or nearly flat portion of a plant ; terete to a stem, 
branch, or leaf (as in some Junci) which presents a 
circular section ; and globose to what has length, breadth, 
and thickness, as a seed or a head of flowers. Other 
analogous terms, as ovate , oblong, &c., also require 
revision, being applied sometimes as if the object were 
solid, sometimes to a longitudinal section of it. The 
term membranous is also objectionable : by some it 
is used almost in the same sense as scariose ; by others 
it is applied to leaves or fronds, merely in contrast 
with coriaceous ; the first appears to be the legitimate 
interpretation, and it is that followed in this volume. 
All our English Glossaries are defective in not limiting 
these adjectives to one meaning only, and thus enabling 
