BOTANICA. 
' 31 
difficult, at first sight, to know a common footstalk to a 
compound leaf, from a branch ; but it may be observed that a 
common footstalk, where it issues from the branch, is either 
flat or hollow on one side, and convex on the other ; whereas 
branches are alike on both sides, whether round, flat, or angu¬ 
lar : again, buds are never found at the angles formed by the 
lobes of a compound leaf with the footstalk ; but at the 
angles formed by^ the footstalk of the whole compound leaf 
and the stem.* And it may always certainly be distinguished 
by its falling off with the little leaves which it supports. 
The manner or place in which leaves are attached to the 
plant, is called the determination of leaves; and is as follows, 
distinguished by several terms, according to number, dispo¬ 
sition, insertion, figure, &c. 
Radical or root leaf, such as proceed from the root. 
Stem leaf, such as grow on the stem. 
Branch leaf, such as grow on the branches. 
Axillary leaf, {from axilla, the arm pit) such leaves as 
grow in the angle formed at the insertion of the branch with 
the stem. 
Ploral LEAF,f (florale) such as are placed nearest to, and 
at the coming out of the flower; (see bractea, page 33). 
There are also seminal or seed-leaves, such as are first the 
cotyledons, and afterwards become leaves; but these are not 
noticed under determination of leaves, as not coming under 
the definition of a leaf. 
* The flowers in fruit trees generally appear before the leaves, that the process 
of impregnation may not be interrupted. 
■f Floral leaves are in general those leaves placed nearest to the flower, and 
when like the other leaves, they come under the definition of a leaf; but when 
they differ in size, shape, or colour, from the other leaves of the plant, they are 
called bractece, and come under the term fulcra, and often afford essential marks 
for distinction of species. 
