V1U 
OUTLINES OE BOTANY. 
falcate, when curved like the blade of a scythe. 
46. Intermediate forms between any two of the above are expressed by combining 
two terms. Thus, a linear-lanceolate leaf is long and narrow, yet broader below the 
middle, and tapering to a point ; a linear-oblong one is scarcely narrow enough to be 
called linear, yet too narrow to be strictly oblong, and does not conspicuously taper 
either towards the summit or towards the base. 
47. The apex or summit of a leaf is 
acute or pointed, when it forms an acute angle or tapers to a point. 
obtuse or blunt , when it forms a very obtuse angle, or more generally when it is 
more or less rounded at the top. 
acuminate or cuspidate, when suddenly narrowed at the top, and then more or less 
prolonged into an acumen or point , which may be acute or obtuse, linear or tapering. 
Some botanists make a slight difference between the acuminate and cuspidate apex, the 
acumen being more distinct from the rest of the leaf in the latter case than in the 
former ; but in general the two terms are used in the same sense, some preferring the 
one and some the other. 
truncate, when the end is cut off square. 
retuse, when very obtuse or truncate, and slightly indented. 
emarginate or notched, when more decidedly indented at the end of the midrib ; 
obcordate, if at the same time approaching the shape of a heart with its point down- 
wards. 
mucronate, when the midrib is produced beyond the apex in the form of a small 
point. 
aristate, when the point is fine like a hair. 
48. The base of the leaf is liable to the same variations of form as the apex, but the 
terms more commonly used are tapering or narrowed for acute and acuminate, rounded 
for obtuse, and cordate for emarginate. In all cases the petiole or point of attachment 
prevent any such absolute termination at the base as at the apex. 
49. A leaf may be cordate at the base whatever be its length or breadth, or what- 
ever the shape of the two lateral lobes, called auricles (or little ears), formed by the 
indenture or notch, but the term cordiform or heart-shaped leaf is restricted to an 
ovate and acute leaf, cordate at the base, with rounded auricles. The word auricles is 
more particularly used as applied to sessile and stem-clasping leaves. 
50. If the auricles are pointed, the leaf is more particularly called auriculate ; it is 
moreover said to be sagittate, when the points are directed downwards, compared to an 
arrow-head ; hastate, when the points diverge horizontally, compared to a halbert. 
51. A renform leaf is broader than long, slightly but broadly cordate at the base, 
with rounded auricles, compared to a kidney. 
52. In a peltate leaf, the stalk, instead of proceeding from the lower edge of the 
blade, is attached to the under surface, usually near the lower edge, but sometimes in 
the very centre of the blade. The peltate leaf has usually several principal nerves 
radiating from the point of attachment, being, in fact, a cordate leaf, with the auricles 
united. 
53. All these modifications of division and form in the leaf pass so gradually one 
into the other that it is often difficult to say which term is the most applicable — 
whether the leaf be toothed or lobed, divided or compound, oblong or lanceolate, obtuse 
or acute, etc. The choice of the most apt expression will depend on the skill of the 
describer. 
54. Leaves, when solid, Stems, Fruits, Tubers, and other parts of plants, 
when not flattened like ordinary leaves, are 
setaceous or capillarg, when very slender like bristles or hairs. 
acicular, when very slender, but stiff and pointed like needles. 
subulate, when rather thicker and firmer like awls. 
linear, when at least four times as long as thick ; oblong, when from about two to 
about four times as long as thick, the terms having the same sense as when applied to 
flat surfaces. 
ovoid, when egg-shaped, with the broad end downwards, obovoid if the broad end 
is upwards ; these terms corresponding to ovate and oborate shapes in flat surfaces. 
