24 VEGETABLE ORGANOGRAPHY. 



pedicule, from the apex of which proceeds a terminal 

 flower, and frequently two lateral branches from the 

 axils of the bracteoles : when these branches are deve- 

 loped, the cyme is bifid and three-flowered ; when 

 subsequent ramifications take place, then a true di- or 

 trichotomous cyme is formed. If, however, this last 

 state takes place towards the top of the branches, as the 

 leaves may be but little developed, the internodes near 

 together, and the principal stem but slightly disposed 

 to elongate, then the union of these lateral cymes forms 

 what is called a terminal panicle, which is only a true 

 thyrse, with ramified branches, or a Paniculiform 

 Thyrse. 



The example of the thyrse of Eugenia leads us to 

 understand several inflorescences which resemble also 

 racemes or panicles ; such are the thyrses of the Lilac. 

 Here the floral branch only bears at its base a small 

 number of leaves ; the axis elongates after the system 

 of indefinite inflorescence ; and the lateral branches (in 

 the axils of leaves reduced to the state of very small 

 bracts) are true cymes, the union of which forms a 

 thyrse : this also happens in the Vine, &c. 



Several Leguminosas present analogous phenomena ; 

 thus, there is a great number of species where we see 

 racemes apparently simple and resembling true ones ; 

 they resemble them, in fact, by the possibility of inde- 

 finite elongation, and the axillary position of the pedun- 

 cles ; but each peduncle bears two opposite bracts, from 

 which arise either only a terminal pedicel, or one with 

 lateral ramuscules ; thus, in all these plants, the raceme 

 is in appearance almost indifferently simple or branched, 

 and ought to be considered as a true Racemiform 

 Thyrse. 



Several Monocotyledons are found, which, it is said, 

 have their flowers in spikes, with three bracts at the 



