6 VEGETABLE ORGANOGRAPHY. 



the different positions of the pedicels, with regard to 

 the organs which bear them. They may arise either 

 immediately upon the stem or principal branch, or 

 spring from parts of the stem or branches which are 

 more or less different from ordinary ones ; in this case 

 these floral stems or branches bear the collective name 

 of Peduncles (pedunculi). 



The pedicels may arise upon the stem or branches 

 after two systems — either laterally to the axil, or at the 

 extremity of the branch which bears them. We are 

 about to follow the numerous and varied consequences 

 of these two modes of inflorescence ; but, before entering 

 into any detail, it is necessary to say that the name of 

 Floral Leaves is given to those, from the axil of 

 which a pedicel proceeds, provided that they do not 

 differ from ordinary ones; and that they are called 

 Bracts, when they differ in size, colour, form, or tex- 

 ture. Bracts differ especially from ordinary leaves, in 

 never having true buds in their axils ; and in this 

 respect they nearly approach the verticillate organs, 

 which compose the flower. 



We shall study the different inflorescences in the fol- 

 lowing sections: — 1st. Axillary Inflorescences. 2d. 

 Those which are terminal. 3d. Those which partake of 

 both these modes. 4th. Those which form, or seem to 

 form, an exception to the preceding classes. 



