ORGANS OF REPRODUCTION. 



203 



Examples of this occur in the Y^icca Fig. 403. 



gloriosa. in the general arrangement 

 of the inflorescence of the Oat (Jig. 

 396), &c. 



k. The Thi/rsus or Thr/rse.— This is 

 a kind of panicle in which the pe- 

 dicels are generally very short, and 

 the whole so arranged as to form 

 a compact cluster (fig. 403). Ex- 

 amples may be found in the Horse- 

 chestnut and Lilac. 



The above kinds of indefinite in- 

 florescence all possess an elongated 

 primary axis. We now proceed to 

 describe those kinds in which the 

 primary axis is shortened or dilated 

 in various Avays. 



2. Kinds of Indefinite Inflores- 

 cence with a Shortened or Dilated 

 Primary Axis. — Of these we shall 

 notice three varieties ; the Capitu- 

 lum or Anthodium, the Hypantho- 

 dium, and the Umbel. 



a. The Capitidum, Anthodium, or 

 Head. — This kind of inflorescence 

 constitutes the Compound Flower of Linnseus. It is 

 by a number of sessile flowers crowded together on 



Fia. 404. 



Fig. 403. Thyrs'j 



of 

 iVitis vinifera). 



formed 

 a re- 



Fi{/. 404. Capitulum of Cotton Thistle (Onoporc?i<Kt Acanthium^. 



