THE CYMOSE TYPE. 161 



posterior one to a simple axis in Monocotj'ledons, and two 

 transverse ones in Dicotyledons, i. c. one to the right and the 

 other to the left of the subtending bract, Fig. 306, b' b 1 . When 

 the latter form a pair, they are perhaps always truly transverse ; 

 when alternate, the}' stand more or less on the opposite sides and 

 transverse. When more than one in Monocotyledons, the}' may 

 become either median or transverse, or even intermediate. The 

 relation of bractlcts or bract, that is, of the last leaves of inflo- 

 rescence, to the first of the blossom, might be considered either 

 under Phyllotaxy or under Floral Symmetiy. In general, it 

 may be noted that successive members stand over the widest 

 intervals ; 1 in other words, that the first leaf of the flower is as 

 far awa}' as may be from the highest bractlet. For instance, 

 when there is a single and posterior bractlet, as is common in 

 Monocotyledons, the first leaf of the flower is anterior, the 

 next two right and left at 120. When there is a single and 

 lateral bractlet and five leaves in the first circle of the flower 

 (which occurs onl}' in Dicotyledons) , the first leaf of this circle 

 is either exactly on the opposite side from the bract, or at a 

 divergence of two fifths, the latter falling into the continuous 

 spiral. When with a pair of bractlets, right and left, the first 

 flower-leaf is at J divergence from one (the uppermost) of them 

 when the circle is of three, or at when of five members, or near 

 it ; but with many exceptions. 2 



A tabular view of the kinds of inflorescence and their termi- 

 nology, sen-ing as a key, may aid the student. 8 



latter, being the leaves which the new axis first bears, VorUdtter, which is 

 also the name they apply to primordial leaves in germination. 



1 In accordance with Hofmeister's law ; but (as Eichler remarks) not to 

 be explained on his mechanical principle of production in this place because 

 of the greater room : for the position of the first member of an axillary 

 flower is mostly the same as regards the subtending bract when the bractlets 

 are wanting. 



2 When bractlets are wanting, the leaves of the first floral circle if two 

 are right and left ; if three, two lateral-posterior and one anterior ; when 

 five, the odd one commonly in the median line, either anterior or posterior. 



3 INFLORESCENCE is either PURE, all of one type, or MIXED, of the two types 



combined. The Types are : 



I. Main axis not arrested and terminated by a flower. Indeterminate, Indefi- 

 nite, Acropetal or Ascending, Centripetal, or BOTRYOSE. 



II. Main and lateral axes arrested and terminated by a flower. Determinate, 

 Definite, Descending, Centrifugal, or CYMOSE. 



