I also found the discussion on hypogeal and epigeal usage useful and informative. But I don't think we have to go for the degree of precision that gives only one usage for any word. At this point, if one wants to be precise one can just say what one means- refining the usage in the sentence one writes or speaks. Unlike Merriam-Webter where the definitions are numbered. We get by without without numbering the usage in our sentences. And we shouldn't have to resort only to Greek and Latin usages and talk medico-speak It only delays the issue. We have epi- and hypo-geal already and as you see, it needs more perfecting yet. ----- Original Message ----- From: "J.E. Shields" <jshields@indy.net> To: "Pacific Bulb Society" <pbs@lists.ibiblio.org> Sent: Tuesday, January 05, 2010 7:06 AM Subject: Re: [pbs] Define Epigeal and Hypogeal Folks, I am very grateful for all the discussion of epigeal and hypogeal. After Jim McK.'s elaboration of the types of germination in Lilium, I despair of finding a concise and clear definition! Still, this has been an enlightening and very useful experience. The variety of Nature is testing the limits of our vocabularies.