246 
GLOSSARY. 
time as freely as could be desired, and I do not despair of retain¬ 
ing it for some time longer. My success may be traced to the 
following causes—confining the roots in a small pot with only one 
shifting, refraining altogether from any pruning, and the benefit 
derived from the uninterrupted influence of the sun. Next sea¬ 
son, by having a larger and more mature plant to operate upon, 
I feel confident of having it in a blooming state at a much earlier 
period. 
M‘M., Battersea. 
GLOSSARY OF TERMS USED IN BOTANICAL 
DESCRIPTIONS. 
Ephemeral. Ephemerus. Continuing but one day. 
Epicarp. The outer coat or covering of a ripe fruit. 
Epicarpanthus. Seated above the fruit. Synonymous with 
“ superior.” Applied only to the floral organs. 
Epichilium. The upper division of the lip of an orchidaceous 
plant. 
Epidermis. Literally the skin, or thin membraneous covering 
of the stem, leaves, and flowers of all plants. 
Epiphyllous. Growing upon a leaf. 
Epiphyte. A plant which grows upon another by attachment, 
but without deriving nourishment therefrom; a circumstance 
which distinguishes it from the true parasite. 
EauiNOCTiAL. As applied to plants, signifies those which open 
and close their flowers at certain regular times. 
Eqditant. When the leaves at the point of union with the 
stem embrace each other by overlapping their edges, as is 
the case with most Iridaceous plants. 
Eriopiiorus. Bearing a thick coat of soft hairs like wool. 
Erose. An irregular dentation in the leaves, having the appear¬ 
ance of being bitten or gnawed. 
Esculent. Eatable; good for food. 
Etiolated. Blanched; whitened by the exclusion of light; 
drawn up weakly. 
F^ecula. The nutritious meal or powder of any plant. 
