106 INFLORESCENCE. 
be opened, is borne upon a peduncle of two or more nodes, which are, of course, 
transverse to each other (219, c). From one, or two, or all of these nodes, pairs 
of secondary, opposite peduncles arise, each of which, like the first, is binodal or 
multinodal, and terminated by a flower. Again, in the nodes of these secondary 
peduncles, may arise, in the same manner as before, pairs of tertiary peduncles, 
each to be terminated by a flower, and perhaps to bear still other peduncles, and 
SO on. . 
b. Hence it is evident, that in each axil of the forked branches there should be 
a solitary flower. This, however, is often wanting. Irregularities may also be 
occasioned by the absence of other parts. 
308. FascicLte. This is a modification of the cyme, in which 
the flowers become crowded, and nearly sessile, as in sweet: 
william, and other species of Dianthus. 
309. VERTICILLASTER Or VERTICIL, Called also, though improp- 
erly, whorl, is a term denoting those reduced cymes which are 
peculiar to the Labiate, where two such cymes occupy the 
opposite axils of each pair of leaves. 
a. Sometimes the peduncle, instead of producing flowers, is changed into a ten- 
aril, as in the vine. 
CHAPTER XIV. 
REVIEW OF THE PRINCIPLES OF NUTRITION. 
310. It has already been shown, in the preceding chapters, 
that plants consist chiefly of fowr simple organic elements; viz. 
carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen. ‘The first mentioned 
exists in a larger proportion, the last in a smaller, than either of 
the others. These four elements constitute about 94 per cent 
of all vegetable matter. 
311. Carzon (essentially charcoal) enters so largely into the 
composition of plants, that it retains the exact form and texture 
of the wood after the other ingredients have been expelled by 
heat. On this element chiefly depends their solidity and 
strength. Its proportion is from 40 to 60 per cent. NiTRoGEN, 
although perhaps equally essential, is less abundant in the 
tissues, and exists largely only in certain important vegetable © 
products ; as gluten, legumine, albumen. 
— ss 
