48 COLOCASIA. [chap. 



bract-leaf, called a spathe. A flower-spike of this kind, 

 enclosed in a spathe, is distinguished as a spadix. With a 

 magnifying-glass compare the structure of the minute flowers 



Fig. 32. Colocasin antiquorutn. 



occupying the lower part of the spike, which are similar lo 

 the single detached flower to the left in the cut (Fig. 34), 

 with those a Httlc higher up, which are similar to the de- 

 tached flower to the right in the cut. Be careful to note, 

 however, that between the two belts of different flowers 

 there occurs a short, often slightly narrower, intermediate 

 portion of the spadix occupied by a number of rudimentary 

 organs which must not be mistaken for efficient flowers. 



