106 
Sph.eroce'phalus — W here the capitulum 
is globular. 
SPHiERO'pHYTOi — Synonym for “Filix,” 
a fern; the fructification (the theca) 
being globular. 
Sph.e'rula, Sphk'rula (Diminutive for 
Sphfvraf a sphere) — A more or less 
rounded peridi urn, discharging at the 
summit its spoiidia. 
Sph^ruli'nus — Synonym for “ Orbicu- 
laris.” 
Sphalekocar'pium, Sphalerocar'pum— a 
one-seeded indehiscent pericarp, in- 
vested by a persistent succulent calyx, 
assuming the ap|>earance of a berry, 
hencethename “deceiving fruit.” For 
example see 
Sphe'rical, SPH.E'Ricrs— Closely approxi- 
mating to the form of a sphere. 
SpHEROr'iiAL, Sph.eroida't.is — Ap- 
proximating to the foim of a sphere. 
Spi'ca — A spike is a form of infioresence 
with sessile flowers along a simple un- 
divided axis or rhachis. Spica^tus, 
Spicip'Eitrs, Spiciflo'kus — W here the 
flowers are disposed in a spike. 
Spicifoh'mis — A ssuiping the appear,- 
ance of a spike. ^Spici'cerus — 
Synonym for “ Spiciferus.” 
Spi'cula— A spikelet. Spicclif'krus — 
When flouers are arranged in spike- 
lets. 
Spi'culate, Spicula^tl’S (iSIade sharp) — 
Where a surface is covered with fine 
pointed fleshy appendages. Also (from 
Spim^ a spike) where a spike is com- 
posed of several smaller spikes (or 
rather spikelets) crow’ded together. 
Spi'cate, Spic.Vtus— B earing the flowers 
in a form of inflorescence called a 
spike. 
Spikelet — A small spike, of which several 
aggregated round a coumicm axis, con- 
stitute a “compound spike.” The 
term is more os|x‘ciaUy applied to tho 
RX>iked arrangement-^ of two or more 
flowers of gmsse.*?, subtended by one or 
more gliuiies, and w'hich are variously 
dis}X)sed round a common axis. 
Spi'na (A thorn)— A spine or stiff sharx> 
Ijointed pvoce.ns, containing some por- 
tions of woody tissue, and originating 
in the degeneracy or modification of 
some organ, as of a branchlet, leaf, or 
stmule. It is a synonym for 
“.Tliorn.” SpikklTa (diminutive for 
spinn^ a thorn). Spixes'cen’T, Spjn- 
Es'cENS — Terminating in a spine. 
SPlNlK'EItrs — Producing or bearing 
spines. Spinifo'i.u's — W iete the leaves 
are spinous. SPixiFOU^iiis — Having 
the general ai)pearaiice of a sjuiie. 
Splnocar'pus — W here the fruit is sjiiu- 
ous. Spi'nouk— B earing, or covered 
with, spines. SpiNULiF'Eitus, Spinu- 
Lo'srs — Funushetl with very small 
spines. Spinuliklo'kl's — When the 
seixiLs terminate in acute points. 
Spi'ral, Spir.a'lis— A nanged in a spiral, 
or twisted sinralls' round an axis. 
Spiral vessels ortrachese aie membran- 
ous tubes with conical extremities; 
t 
y 
their inside being occupied by a fibre ! [ 
twisted si>irally, and capable of unroll- 
ing with elasticity. To the eye they, 
when at rest, look like a wire twists , 
round a cylinder that is afterwards , 
removed. For the imrpose of finding i 
them for examination, the stalk of a I 
Strawberry leaf may be used ; in these 
they may be readily detected by gently I 
pulling the 8i>ecimeus asunder, when I 
they unroll, and ax)pear to the naked 
eye like a fine cobweb. (See also the 
spirally cculed peduncle of the Eel- 
gmss, Valtimeria spiralis, a common 
fresh-water plant.) I 
Spissus — C rowded, thick, clammy, as 
Affarkus sj^istsvs. I 
Spitham.e'us {Spithaim., a span) — About 
seven inches ; the average space 
between the extremities of the thumb , 
and forefinger when expanded. 
Splex'dess — Glittering. (See the 
Treasure-flow'er, Gatania spicjidcnB.) 
Spodo'chbous— O f a grey tint. Spodo, in 
Greek compoundt*, signifies ash-^rey. 
Spon'oioie, Spongi'ola (Diminutive for 
Spfom/ia, a sixuige)— The extremity of 
each fibre of a root, devoid of epidermis, , 
and capable of absorbing moisture ' 
from the surrounding medium. The 
term is extended tothe8tigraa(«S^ongu‘o/a 
phUillarlii) and certain parts on the 
surface of seeds possessing a similar 
property of absorptuui {Spongiola 
scininulis). Spongy, Spongiosus— 
Where the cellular tissue is copious, 
forming a st^onge-like mass, often 
replete with moisture. 
Spora'uio, Spora'dicus— W hen a given 
species occurs in more than one 
of the separate districts assigned to ' 
particular Floras, also applied to 
scattered hairs, &c., as ,S'ohnum spora- 
dotrichum. 
Spoban'gium, Sporangia— a spore-case, , 
having spores produced w’ithin it. , 
Spore-case— C a.«e^ containing the spores of 
Ferns and their allies. 
Sporif'erous — B earing spores. 
Sporocau'picjr— C overing or capsule en- 
closing sjx^res, or carpospores. 
Spo'roderm — T he coating or covering of a 
spore. 
Spo'Rrr.Es — Minute spore-like bodies. 
Spumes'cent, Spujies'ckNvH (Foaming)— 
Having the appearance of foam or froth. 
(See the fungus Spunutna alha.) 
Spur, Spurred— W hen the tube or the 
lower part of the petal has a conical 
hollow projection, compared to the 
.spur of a cock, (oee flow’ers of Dark- 
spur and Dcndrobi*j.Jii.) 
Spurious — C ounterfeit, false. 
Squa'w.e, Scales — L eaves very much re- 
duced in size, usually sesdle,^ seldom 
green or capable of performing the 
respiratory functions of leave?. In 
other words, they are organs resem- ' 
bling leavt-s in their position on the 
plant, but differing in size, colour, tex- 
ture, and functions. They are most 
frequently on the stock of perennial 
