BASES.--Oftentimes leaves are of some general form, but have a peculiar base, one that would not be expected from the statement of shape. An ovate leaf which should have a rounded base might have a tapering one; it would then be described as ovate with a _tapering base_. [Illustration] A lanceolate leaf should naturally have a tapering base, but might have an _abrupt_ one. [Illustration] Many leaves, no matter what their general form may be, have more or less notched bases; such bases are called _cordate_, [Illustration] _deeply_ or _slightly_, as the case may be; and if the lobes at base are elongated, _auriculate_. [Illustration] If the basal lobes project outward, the term _halberd-shaped_ [Illustration] is used. Any form of leaf may have a base more or less _oblique_. [Illustration] POINTS.--The points as well as the bases of leaves are often peculiar, and need to be described by appropriate terms. _Truncate_ [Illustration] indicates an end that is square; _retuse_, [Illustration] one with a slight notch; _emarginate_, one with a decided notch; _obcordate_, with a still deeper notch; _obtuse_, [Illustration] angular but abrupt; _acute_, [Illustration] somewhat sharpened; _acuminate_, [Illustration] decidedly sharp-pointed; _bristle-pointed_ and _awned_, [Illustration] with a bristle-like tip; _spiny-pointed_, with the point sharp and stiff (Holly); _mucronate_, [Illustration] with a short, abrupt point. MARGINS.--_Entire_, [Illustration] edge without notches; _repand_, [Illustration] slightly wavy; _sinuate_, [Illustration] decidedly wavy; _dentate_, [Illustration] with tooth-like notches; _serrate_, [Illustration] with notches like those of a saw; _crenate_, [Illustration] with the teeth rounded; _twice serrate_, [Illustration] when there are coarse serrations finely serrated, as on most Birch leaves; _serrulate_, with minute serrations; _crenulate_, with minute crenations. Leaves can be _twice crenate_ or _sinuate-crenate_. _Revolute_ indicates that the edges are rolled over. When a leaf has a few great teeth, the projecting parts are called _lobes_, and the general form of the leaf is what it would be with the notches filled in. In the description of such leaves, certain terms are needed in describing the plan of the notches, and their depth and form. Leaves with palmate veining are _palmately lobed_ [Illustration] or _notched_; those with pinnate veining are _pinnately lobed_ [Illustration] or _notched_. While the term _lobe_ is applied to all great teeth of a leaf, whether rounded or pointed, long or short, still there are four terms sometimes used having special signification with reference to the depth of the notches. _Lobed_ indicates that the notches extend about one fourth the distance to the base or midrib; _cleft_, that they extend one half the way; _parted_, about three fourths of the way; and _divided_, that the notches are nearly deep enough to make a compound leaf of separate leaflets.