INFLORESCENCE. 29 



in the Dandelion. This latter kind of axis receives the 

 name of receptacle. 



167. The best analysis that has been given of the 

 various modes of inflorescence, is that by Dr. Lindley, 

 and of which we shall here avail ourselves. 



168. The different forms of inflorescence may be di- 

 vided into two great divisions ; first, those having 

 the flowers sessile, and, secondly, those having them 

 stalked. 



169. Those of the first division, or which have sessile 

 flowers, can be now reduced into two secondary classes ; 

 the one comprehending sessile flowers arranged upon 

 an extended axis, the other sessile flowers seated upon a 

 depressed axis ; there being two kinds of the extended 

 axis, the deciduous, and the persistent. As an example 

 of an inflorescence in which the flowers are sessile and 

 arranged upon an extended persistent axis, we may take 

 Wheat ; as one in which the extended axis is deciduous, 

 the catkin of the Hazel-nut ; and as one in which the 

 sessile flowers are seated upon a depressed axis, the 

 Dandelion. 



170. Those of the second division, or which have 

 stalked flowers, are to be reduced in a like manner as 

 regards their axis, namely : into stalked flowers upon 

 an extended axis stalked flowers upon a depressed 

 axis. The former is then to be subdivided into two 

 orders ; one in which the stalks are simple, the other in 

 which they are branched or compound. As an example 

 of an inflorescence in which the flowers are stalked and 

 arranged upon an extended axis, the stalks being sim- 

 ple, we may take the Foxglove ; the stalks being com- 

 pound, the Meadow-Fescue-grass ; and as one in which 

 the stalked flowers are upon a depressed axis, the 

 common Hemlock. 



171. The further analysis of the various forms of 

 Inflorescence will be better explained by the following 

 table and figures, a more detailed account of each form 

 being given afterwards, as they are of considerable im- 

 portance in practical Botany. 



D 3 



