122 
BRITISH FERNS. 
’’ I semi-transparent, and of the texture of skin, or 
very thin parchment (membrana). 
Midrib, the main ridge or fibre running down the centre of the whole 
leaf. 
Monophyllous, single-leafed, undivided; entire. 
Monster, an anomalous variety. 
Mucronate, ending abruptly in a sharp point. 
Obovate, egg-shaped, the small end downwards. 
Obsolete, contracted ; indistinct; imperfect. 
Opposite, springing from the same level on both sides of the stem. 
Orbicular, round; globe-shaped. 
Ovate, egg-shaped, large end downwards. 
Paleaceous, chaffy; husky. 
Panicle, an irregular bunch of flowerets. 
Pectinate, apart, like the teeth of a comb. 
Pedicel, a little leaf-stalk. 
Pedicellate, having a little leaf-stalk. 
Peltate, target-shaped. 
Pentagonal, five-angled or cornered. 
Persistent, abiding in leaf during the winter. 
Petiole, leaf-stalk. 
Pe^ioled, 
Petiolated, 
| stalked. 
PHjENOGAMOUS, plants whose flowers are apparent. 
Pinna, the lateral offshoot from the main stem. 
Pinnate, having lateral offshoots distinctly cut down to the stem. 
Pinnatifid, having incomplete branches or leaves, their divisions not 
reaching down to the stem. 
Pinnule, the leaf on a branch. 
Pistil, the centre organ in the interior of a flower or blossom. 
Pollen, the fecundating farina in the anther of the higher plants. 
Procumbent, lying down along the ground ; not springing upwards. 
Pubescence, down, or woolly hair. 
Pubescent, clothed with soft wool, down, or hair. 
Quadrate, squared. 
