<BGSOUND src="cuticle.wav"> cuticle

cuticle

noun

(L. cuticula: diminutive of cutis: skin) A continuous impervious layer of fatty substances covering over the outer surfaces of the epidermis of plants; it contains cutin, cutan, or a mixture of both, and protects against water loss and gases.
An outer layer or covering of some material, usually noncellular.