206 



PLANT-LIFE 



(Fig. 65) we have a raceme with stalks getting shorter 

 as they approach the apex of the flowering stem, as a 

 result of which the flowers are brought almost to a level. 

 An umbel consists of flowers with stalks all rising from 

 a common point (Ivy). A compound umbel occurs 

 when each stalk arising from a common centre bears 

 another umbel instead of a single flower; example, 

 Carrot (Fig. 66). A cymose inflorescence has the 



FIG. 63. SPIKE 

 OF VERBENA. 



FIG. 64. -RACEME 

 OF CURRANT. 



FIG. 65. CORYMBOSE IN- 

 FLORESCENCE. 



flowers almost on a level, but on irregularly branched 

 stalks (Elder). A catkin is a crowded spike of flowers 

 of one sex; each tiny flower is protected by a scalelike 

 bract instead of an ordinary perianth (Hazel, Fig. 67). 

 Neither the compound umbel nor the catkin is found 

 among the Monocotyledons. 



The Dicotyledons are divided into two groups, the 

 Choripetalce and the Sympetalce. In the former the 



