THE FLOWER. 211 



expansion is surrounded by a little circlet of leaves 

 probably bracteas ? 



Mrs. B. Yes they are, and are usually called the in- 

 volucrum of the umbel. The base whence the pedicles 

 radiate bears the name of receptacle; and it not only 

 serves to support them, but, the sap being accumulated in 

 this expansion, it becomes a reservoir of nourishment, 

 and supplies them with food which they each convey to 

 their respective flowers. 



Emily. Does not the Laurustinus blossom in this man- 

 ner ? I have often observed that its peduncle spreads out 

 into a number of different ramifications. 



Mrs. B. They do not spring from a common centre, 

 and, consequently, can have no common receptacle; but 

 are irregular, like the branches of a tree, and the bunch 

 of flowers they support may be compared to its head. It 

 is hence called a cyme or cyma. 



The peduncle often throws out small pedicels at regu- 

 lar distances, as you may have observed in a bunch of 

 currants : this sort of cluster is called raceme or racemus, 

 and its flowers open in succession from the bottom to 

 the top. 



In some plants the flowers are placed around the pedun- 

 cle on such very short pedicels that they assume the form 

 of a spike or spica. When thus disposed they blow in 

 succession, so that those at the bottom of the spike have 

 withered before those at the top are unfolded. Plantain 

 blossoms in this manner. In other plants the flowers are 

 crowded still more closely around the peduncle, and form 

 an ear : such is the mode of flowering of corn and gras- 

 ses ; in others, they grow in clusters or irregular bunches 

 like the vine. In many trees the peduncle assumes the 

 form of a spike, articulated with the branch, and covered 

 with the remains of degenerated bracteas, resembling 

 scales, under each of which a flower lies concealed : the 

 hazel, the willow, the alder, and the hornbeam, blossom 

 in this manner. 



Emily. I have paid so little attention to the manner of 

 flowering of plants, that I was not at all aware they afford- 

 ed so great a variety. 



1155. What is (he involucrum, and the receptacle 1 ? 1156 What 

 is a cyma! 1157. And what is a racemus'? 1158. How does the 

 plantain flower! 1159. How do corn and grasses'? 1160. How 

 doeg the vine! 1161.- How do the hazel, the willow, the alder, and 

 the hornbeam! 



