28 INFLORESCENCE. 



or three membranous pieces, (/*,) ; these are the nectaria 

 squamulse, &c., &c., of authors. In this case these 

 little scales are somewhat long and membranous; in 

 others, they are smaller and thicker. 



160. In the carices or sedges, the bractese are one- 

 valved, and situated beneath each perianth, the 

 edges of the valves of the perianth being united 

 together so as to form an urceolus. 



161. Although it has been said that the true 

 floral envelopes, along with generative organs, 

 constitute a flower, yet as these latter organs 

 may exist without true calyx or corolla, the co- 

 verings that may be present being truly bracteae, the 

 term naked flower has been applied to them. 



Inflorescence. 



162. The modes in which flowers are arranged upon 

 a stem or its divisions, are termed their forms of inflo- 

 rescence. 



163. The part by which a flower is attached to the 

 main stem, is termed the peduncle, (fig. 28, /.) ; when a 

 peduncle is divided, the divisions bearing the flowers are 

 called pedicels, (fig. 28, *.) 



164. When the peduncle bearing the flower seems to 

 spring from the root, it is called a scape ; this is seen in 

 the Primrose. 



165. The general position of the inflorescence is ax- 

 illary to a leaf, but to this there are exceptions. 



166. On looking at a form of inflorescence, one of 

 two things will be observable ; either that the flowers 

 are arranged upon a lengthened axis, which is continued 

 right through the inflorescence from its base to its 

 summit, or that they are placed upon a depressed or 

 more or less flattened one. The first or extended axis 

 may be seen in the Foxglove, the other or depressed one 



