ORGANS OF REPRODUCTION. 



213 



Fig. 419. Inflorescence of the Box {Buxus 

 sempervirens). 



and in the Box (^^r. 419), Fig. 419. 



&c. It bears nearly the 

 same relation to the true 

 cyme, as the capitulum 

 does to the umbel, 



e. The Verticillaster. — 

 This kind of cyme is seen 

 in the White Dead-nettle 

 {Lamium alburn) {fig. 

 370) and in other plants 

 of the Labiate tribe to 

 ■which it belongs. In it 

 the flowers appear at 

 first sight to be arranged 

 in a whorl round the 

 stem, but upon examin- 

 ation it will be readily seen, that there are two clusters 

 axillary to the opposite leaves, the central flowers of which 

 open first, and hence the mode of expansion is centrifugal. 

 To each of these clusters the name of verticillaster is applied. 



We have now finished our description of the difi'erent kinds 

 of regular inflorescence, and from 

 what we have already stated, it may 

 be readily understood that they may 

 be situated either at the apex of the 

 stem, or at the extremities of branches, 

 or in the axils of leaves or bracts. 

 Besides the above kinds, all of which 

 are comprehended under the two 

 classes of indefinite, or definite in- 

 florescences, there is a third class, 

 which consists in a combination of 

 these, to which the term of mixed inflo- 

 rescence has been accordingly given. 



3. Mixed Inflorescence. — This 

 kind of inflorescence is by no means 

 uncommon. It is formed by the ge- 

 neral inflorescence developing in one 

 way, and the partial or individual in- 

 florescences in another. Thus in 

 plants of the natural order Com- 

 positse (Jig. 420), the terminal capi- 

 tulum is the first to expand, and the 

 capitula, as a whole, are therefore 

 developed in a centrifugal manner; 

 while the individual capitula open 

 their small flowers or florets from 

 the circumference to the centre, or 

 p3 



Fig. 420. Mixed inflorescence 

 of a species of Seneciu. 



