484 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF [1898. 



to the helicoid uniparouscyme in which the flowers (here represented 

 by a, a', a", etc.) always fall on the same side of the rhachis. 2 



I mention the similarity between this kind of inflorescence and 

 the sympodial method of branching of this species particularly be- 

 cause the inflorescence of Viburnum belongs to the cymose type. 

 The comparison is interesting if not of greater significance. To my 

 knowledge it is not usual to look for, or to find, a correspondence 

 between the method of branching of the vegetative system and that 

 of the flowering system of a species. 



From a comparison of the shoots of Viburnum htntanoides we 

 may draw the following conclusions: 



This species begins its career normally with a main axis ending 

 with a terminal and two lateral buds. 



A tendency soon becomes evident toward retarding the growth 

 of the main axis while the chief growth energy is transferred to the 

 lateral ramifications. 



There is a further tendency to the complete suppression of one of 

 the lateral buds which, however, may be present in rudimentary 

 form. 



In consequence we have the true axis ofteu replaced by a false 

 axis and we may regard V. Ian tano ides as a bush with a decided 

 tendency to the sympodial method of branching. 



2 Revisions to the original type of branching, represented by figs. 1, 3 and 4, 

 are not uncommon and assist in producing the irregular effect. See figs. 11 

 and 12. 



