THE SO-CALLED SCORPIOID CYME. 621 
He correctly observes that the flowers are not in the axils of the bracts; for had they 
been, they would not be situate so close together; and he notices that if they had been 
axillary, the plane which divides them would then have been parallel to the bracts, 
whereas it lies obliquely and alternately to the right and to the left of the observer as 
above placed. | 
This last observation has probably suggested to his mind the theory of dichotomy, for 
it certainly would have been difficult to account for the two rows of flowers by any other 
method known. 
I trust the reader will now perceive that the development of the bracts and flowers 
by simply budding out in the usual way from the axis, in accordance with the 
oscillating method described in this paper, fully accounts for their relative positions, and 
does not in the least depart from Nature's normal method of procedure. 
Lastly, the circinate apex of the scorpioid inflorescences is probably due simply to 
the greater development of the upperside of the axis, in consequence of the buds and 
braets, when present, being all within the upper and longitudinal half of the stem *. 
DESCRIPTION OF PLATE LXXXV. 
Fig. 1. Projection of the alternate leaf-arrangement of Lagerstremia according to the “ oscillating ” 
method. ‘The first four leaves are spirally arranged, which follow opposite and decussate pairs ; 
but subsequently the line passing through the leaves successively up the stem oscillates through 
270°, or three quarters of a circle. ; 
Figs. 2 and 3. Two projections of the line connecting successive bracts of inflorescence of Lathrea 
squamaria. Both systems of resolution, from opposite and decussate to alternate arrangements, 
are followed. When the internodes are well pronounced, then the oscillating system is followed 
continuously, as from numbers 16 to 26 in fig. 2. 
Fig. 4. The peduncles (A and B) of Hyoscyamus niger, the bracts (b) and flowers (fl) removed, the letters 
indicating their positions. The dotted spiral lines show how the bract has been “ uplifted” 
from its (theoretically) normal position, on a level halfway between the flowers. 
Fig. 5. A portion of the inflorescence of Sedum album (after Payer), showing, by dotted lines, (1) the 
suppression of alternate lateral axes, and (2) the uplifting of bracts above their, theoretically, 
normal positions opposite to the flowers. 
Fig. 6. A portion ofthe dichasium, or false dichotomous cyme, of Sedum oppositifolium (after Payer), to 
indicate the origin of spicate forms of sympodial cymes (e. g. a, 5, c). 
. Fig. 7. Projection of a “ racemose cyme " (after Sachs), called “ bostrychoid " by that author. Nos. 1, 
: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, as referred to in text. 
Fig. 8. True projection of a racemose or spicate cyme, falsely called “ scorpioid cyme ” by Payer, &c., 
. helicoid by Sachs, as deduced from a dichasium or “ dichotomous cyme.” 
Fig. 9. Inflorescence or “racemose sympode ” of Silene pendula. 
Figs. 10 to 17. Diagrammatic illustrations of the inflorescence of Myosotis, to indicate the origin of the 
falsely dichotomous appearance sometimes seen. It consists of a terminal and axillary raceme, 
with their basal portions more or less adherent. See p. 617 for descriptions. 
* With regard to the descriptions of the scorpioid cymes by other writers, I need do no more than allude to the 
latest works on the subject, such as Eichler's * Bliithendiagramme,’ and to Prof. A. Gray’s ‘ Text-book,’ part i. p. 156 
(1879), who reproduces the classification of cymal inflorescences by that author, such being regarded by them as 
