CORYMB AND SPIKE J66' 



of the umbel proceeding from the same point, and, if 

 at all, regularly subdivided ; by observing those 

 of the cyme, also arising from the same point but irre- 

 gularly branching, while those of the corymb, arise 

 from a common stem, some nearer to its extremity than 

 others, but terminating on the same level. And if he 

 will examine the flowers of the Apple and Pear, 

 he will find they differ only in their respective ar- 

 rangements, the Apples being disposed in an umbel, 

 and the Pear furnishing a good example of the 

 Corymb. 



4. FASCICLE. — An assemblage of flowers more 

 densely arranged than in the corymb, but otherwise 

 disposed in a similar way, constitutes the fascicle. The 

 Sweet- William presents examples which correspond 

 with the above definition, but they might be conven- 

 iently classed with the corymbose flowers. 



5. SPIKE. Fig. 65. — The spike is an assemblage of 

 flowers arising from the sides of a common stem. In 

 some cases the flowers are sessile, as in the Herds- 

 graSs. but the term applies also to flowers which stand 

 on short stalks as in Common Lavender, and different 

 species of Orchis. " The spike generally grows erect. 

 Its mode of expansion is much more progressive than 

 that of the raceme, so that along 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." 



The spike is either simple and undivided, as in Agri- 

 mony, or it is compound, as in some species of Laven- 

 der. 



