232 OF THE INFLORESCENCE. 



any partial stalks, as in Satyrium hircinum, 

 Engl. Bot. t. 34, Orchis bifolia, t. 22, 

 Plantago major, t. 1558, and media, 

 t. 1559, Potamogeton heterophyllum, 

 t 1285, and fluitans, t. 1286; but this 

 is so seldom the case, that a little latitude 

 is allowed. Veronica spicata, t. 2, there- 

 fore, and Ribes spicatum, t. 1290, as well 

 as the Common Lavender, Lavandula 

 Spica, are sufficiently good examples of a 

 spike, though none of them has entirely 

 sessile flowers; and Linnaeus uses the term 

 in numerous instances where it is still less 

 correctly applicable. A spike generally 

 grows erect. Its mode of expansion is 

 much more progressive than that of the 

 raceme, so that a long period elapses be- 

 tween the fading of the lowest flowers and 

 the opening of the upper ones. The flowers 

 are commonly all crowded close together, 

 or if otherwise, they form separate groups, 

 perhaps whorls, when the spike is said to 

 be either interrupted, or whorled ; as in 

 some Mints. In Sanguisorba officinalis 

 the spike begins flowering at the top. See 

 Capihdum below. 



