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APPENDIX 
In time of drought, a fern retaining its leaves might be 
killed by the loss of water. To escape this danger, most 
epiphytic ferns are able to shed their leaves. In such 
cases, the stipe breaks automatically at joint or articula¬ 
tion, at or near its base. The frond is said to be deciduous 
in such cases. The branch of the rhizome, extending to 
the joint, is called a phyllopodium. 
The description of the frond, or of one of its leaflets, 
involves statements as to the general shape, the form of 
apex, the form of base, the margin, the surface, texture 
and venation. The frond may* be either simple or com¬ 
pound. Terms applied to its form are, linear, meaning 
very narrow, like a blade of grass; lanceolate, or lance¬ 
shaped, meaning broader than linear, and broader below 
than above the middle; oblanceolate, which differs from 
lanceolate in indicating greater width above the middle 
than below; oblong; ovate or egg-shaped; elliptical and 
round ; setiform, or bristle like, and capillary or hair-like, 
signify more extreme narrowness than does linear. If the 
frond is broadly triangular, being very broad at the base, 
it is called deltoid. 
The apex may be rounded, obtuse, acute, or acum¬ 
inate, the last term meaning drawn out to a point of some 
length. If extremely drawn out, it becomes caudate. If 
squarely cut off, it is truncate. If indenting instead of 
projecting at the apex of the midrib, it is said to be 
notched, emarginate or retuse. 
The base may be truncate, rounded, obtuse, or acute; 
if more drawn out, it is called cuneate or wedge-shaped, a 
form similar to the acuminate apex; if carried down along 
the stipe, it is decurrent. If the blade projects downward, 
past the point of insertion of the stipe, it becomes sagittate 
