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Leaf (Botany a flat expansion)

in botany, a flat expansion divisible into two similar portions, often halves, by vertical plane running through the apex and point of insertion.

The under or outer surface generally differs from the upper or inner in color, structure, and in the nature and appendages of the epidermis. On the lower part of the stem or base of a shoot are the scale-leaves or phyllades; above these are the ordinary foliage leaves, and above these again, below the flowers, are the bracts. The foliage leaves are the chief organs of assimilation, and develop large quantities of chlorophyll, their form and appearance being very varied. The bracts are generally smaller. The foliage leaves and calyx and corolla leaves become transformed into stamens, and these modified into carpels. A leaf is called also a phyllome. A leaf consists of two parts, a stalk, called the petiole, and an expanded surface termed the blade or lamsame year. ford and Cambridge. Editor of the "Journal of Hellenic Studies," and published "The Story of Achilles" (1880), with J. H. Pratt; "The Iliad of Homer Translated Into English Prose" (1882), with A. Lang and E. Myers; "The Iliad" (1886-1888); "Companion to the Iliad" (1892); "Troy" (1912); "Homer and History" (1915), etc. mon.