rxir outLtfcEg OP BOTAJTT. 



immediately under the pedicel. Such branches, when in bud, are ganMnflj 

 tolled back at the top, like the tail of a scorpion, and are thence called 

 eoorpioid. 



a Thyrsus, or thyrsoid, when cymes, usually opposite, are arrranged 

 in a narrow pyramidal panicle. 



75. There are numerous cases where inflorescences are intermediate 

 between some two of the above, and are called by different botanists by 

 one or the other name, according as they are guided by apparent or by 

 theoretical similarity. A spike-like panicle, where the axis is divided into 

 very short branches forming a cylindrical compact inflorescence is called 

 sometimes a spike, sometimes a panicle. If the flowers are in distinct clus- 

 ters along a simple axis, the inflorescence is described as an interrupted 

 spike or raceme, according as the flowers are nearly sessile or distinctly 

 pedicellate ; although when closely examined the flowers will be found to 

 be inserted not on the main axis, but on a very bhort branch, thus, strictly 

 speaking, constituting a panicle. 



76. The Catkins (Amenta) of Amentacets, the Spadices of several Mono- 

 cotyledons, the Ears and Spikdets of Grasses, are forms of the spike. 



77. Bract* are generally placed singly under each brauch of the in- 

 florescence, and under each pedicel ; bracteoles are usually two, one on each 

 side, on the pedicel or close under the flower, or even upon the calyx itself; 

 but bracts are also frequently scattered along the branches without axil- 

 lary pedicels ; and when the differences between the bracts and bracteoles 

 are trifling or immaterial, they are usually all called bracts. 



78. When three bracts appear to proceed from the same point, they 

 will, on examination, be found to be really either one bract and two sti- 

 pules, or one bract with two bracteoles in its axil. When two bracts appear 

 to proceed from the same point, they will usually be found to be the stipules 

 of an undeveloped bract, unless the branches of the inflorescence are oppo- 

 site, when the bracts will of course be opposite also. 



79. When several bracts are collected in a whorl, or are so close together 

 as to appear whorled, or are closely imbricated round the base of a head or 

 nmbel, they are collectively called an Involucre. The bracts composing an 

 involucre are described under the name of leaves, leaflets, bracts or scales, 

 according to their appearance. Phyllaries is a useless term, lately intro- 

 duced, for the bracts or scales of the involucre of Compoeitte. An Involucel 

 is the involucre of a partial umbel. 



80. When several very small bracts are placed round the base of a calyx 

 or of an involucre, they have been termed a CaJycule, and the calyx or 

 involucre said to be calyculate ; but these terms are now falling into disuse 

 as conveying a false impression. 



' AOifl abmct or floral leaf enclosi ' n g the inflorescence of some 



82. Pales, Pales, or Chaff, are the inner bracts or scales in Composite, 

 '.minea, and some other plants, when of a thin yet stiff consistence, 

 usually narrow and of a pale colour. 



* ^ ***** 6nclo8in S the flowers of Cyperacea and 

 8. The Flower in General. 



w| 8 i n Comple ' e riow 1 (15) is one in which the calyx, corolla, a-ament, 

 ad pistils are all present ; a perfect flower, one in which all these organs! 



