OF INFLORESCENCE. 33 



The third case is that which Moreea Northiana pre- 

 sents, the flowers of which are said to spring from the 

 edge of the leaf; but this is also an example of the 

 necessity of distinguished primitive and modified forms : 

 this Morcea has, like all the others, a peduncle furnished 

 with flowers, but it is surrounded as far as the origin 

 of the flowers by a leaf folded upon itself, and which 

 surrounds it so closely that the flowers seem to proceed 

 from it. Zostera presents in the same manner a leaf 

 folded lengthways, and the flowers spring from a 

 peduncle united to this folded leaf. 



The fourth case is that of lluscus, which seems to owe 

 its appearance to its leaves arising from foliiform 

 branches of an entirely peculiar form ; when the deve- 

 lopment of a young plant is followed (PI. 16, fig. 3), 

 we see that the true leaves, as in the Asparagi, are 

 caducous and slightly embracing scales, whilst the very 

 compressed organs which spring from their axil are 

 true branches which are destined to bear flowers. In 

 some species, as in 11. Hypoglossum, this foliiform 

 branch bears, besides flowers, a true floral leaf, the pre- 

 sence of which confirms the nature of the branch. 



Section VI. 

 Of Pedicels and Peduncles. 



It is usual to designate under the special name of 

 Pedicel (pedicellus) the immediate support of each 

 flower; and to reserve those of Pediclle or Peduncle 

 (pediculus, pedunculus) for all the ramifications of the 



VOL. 11. D 



