72 STUDIES IN INDIAN TOBACCOS. 



between the open and crowded intlorescences in N. ru.stica, but 

 certain of the types are more free flowering than others. The tall 

 types of group B are in general characterised by the paucity of 

 their flowers, while some of the dwarf varieties produce a profusion 

 of blossoms (t^'pe XIX). The general shape of the inflorescence 

 dejDcnds on the mode of growth of the side branches. These, 

 although always borne in basipetal succession on the main 

 stem, may be short and originate mostly near the top (type 

 LI) or may be very long and spreading (type XXIII), or 

 if the internodes are very short, may all appear to spring from 

 the base of the plant (type XIX). The inflorescence on the main 

 axis always flowers first and the side branches in order from above 

 downwards. Tlie relative length of the side branches to tlie main 

 axis varies considerably in the different types : (1) the side branches 

 may be of such a length that when in bloom the flowers are at 

 the same level as the flowers on the main axis, and in this case 

 the inflorescence has a Bat top (see types XVJI and XIX) ; (2) the 

 flowers on the side branches may be higher than those on the main 

 axis (types XLI and XLIl) ; or (3) the flowers on the side branches 

 may be at different heights and at a lower level than the main 

 axis when the inflorescence, as a whole, has a "pyramidal" 

 appearance (types XV and XLVIII). These differences in the 

 appearance of the inflorescence, although characteristic of the types, 

 are often lost later on in the capsule stage by the development of 

 further branches due to excessive watering or other conditions. 

 They are best seen when the flowers on the side branches are 

 just opening and the first capsules have been formed on the main 

 axis. The habit photographs of the plants were, as far as possible, 

 taken at this stage, and in all cases these as well as those of the 

 leaves were taken at approximately uniform distances fromthe 

 camera. 



Flowers. 

 Although at first sight the flowers of N. tahacum appear 

 very much alike, there are considerable differences in the details 

 of structure of the calyx and corolla. Such difierences occur in 



