22 INTBODTJCTION. 



OP THE FLOWER-STALKS, AND INFLORESCENCE. 



The Flower-stalk or Peduncle is the more or less slender body 

 by which the flower is connected with the stem or other parts of 

 the plant. When it arises from the root, it is called a Scape (Fig. 

 19.), as already mentioned. When it springs from the stem, it is 



Lateral, when situated on the side. 



Terminal, when it terminates a stem or branch. 



Axillar, when it grows between a leaf and the stem, or between 

 a branch and the stem. 



Opposite to a leaf, or to another flower-stalk. 



Solitary, when there is only one in the same place. 



Clustered, when several grow together. 



Scattered, irregularly distributed. 



A Flower-stalk may be one-, two-, three-, or many-flowered. 



When it is branched or otherwise divided, the principal stalk 

 is called the General flower-stalk, the ultimate divisions are 

 Partial flower-stalks. 



When the flowers are destitute of stalks, they are said to be 

 Sessile, or sitting. 



The Injlorescence is a term used to denote the particular way 

 in which the flower-stalk is divided. The following kinds are 

 described : 



1. The Whorl or Verticil (Fig. 93.) consists of several flowers 

 which encircle the stem, in the same manner as whorled leaves 

 (Fig. 26.), whether they be furnished with stalks, or, as is more 

 commonly the case, sessile. 



2. The Spike (Fig. 94, 95.) is that kind of inflorescence in 

 which numerous flowers are ranged along a common stalk, with- 

 out any partial stalks, or only very short ones. The spike may be 

 lateral, axillar, or terminal, according to its position. It is also 

 described, according to its general form, as being egg-shaped, cy- 

 lindrical, &c. When the flowers all lean to one side, it is called 

 one-rowed or unilateral, as in Fig. 94. When they are arranged 

 along two sides, it is called distichous or two-rowed. When sub- 

 divided into lesser spikes, it is said to be compound. 



The Snikelet (Fig. 96.) is a term applied peculiarly to grasses 

 which have many flowers arranged on a stalk, within a kind of 

 common calyx, composed of two thin bracteas. 



