108 INFLORESCENCE. 



they would never become fruit. But finding that they then 

 obtained no fruit at all, they soon learned the wiser practice 

 of admitting the winds to blow, and the insects to transfer the 

 pollen of the infertile to the fruit-bearing flowers."* 



LECTURE XIV. 



Inflorescence. Receptacle. Fruit. MirbeVa classification of 

 fruits. LinncBus' classification of fruits. 



HAVING given our particular attention to the important uses 

 of the stamens and pistils, we shall now proceed to consider 

 the various ways in which flowers grow upon their stalks ; 

 this is called their inflorescence, or mode of flowering. 



Inflorescence. 



The position of the flower may be considered under thre 

 heads. 



With respect to the organs which it contains. 



With respect to the branches which support it. 



With respect to the flowers which are near it, or which 

 grow on the same peduncle. 



1st. The corolla with respect to the organs which it contains. 



The corolla, when it is monopetalous, supports the stamens, 

 the number of which in this case always corresponds to tho 

 number of divisions of the limb of the corolla. When the co- 

 rolla is polypetalous, the stamens are inserted upon the calyx 

 or upon the receptacle ; their number is then usually double 

 the number of petals ; as in the pink, which has ten stamens 

 and five petals. When inserted beneath the germ or base of 

 the pistil, the corolla is said to be hypo.gynous (underneath tho 

 style or inferior) ; as in the stramonium. When it is inserted 

 into the calyx and surrounds the germ, as in the currant, it is 

 said to be peri-gynous (around the style, or enveloping it). 

 When the corolla is inserted upon the germ, as in the trumpet- 

 honey-suckle, it is said to be epi-gynous (upon the germ, or 

 superior). 



2d. The corolla with respect to the branches which support it. 



The disposition of flowers upon their branches is analogous 

 to that of leaves ; thus, flowers are either radical, coming from 

 the root, or cauline, coming from the stem ; they are peduncled 



* Smith. 



Inflorescence Position of the corolla considered under three heads 1st. 

 Corolla with respect to the organs which it contains 2d. Branches which 

 rapport the corolla. 



