HC) VEGETABLE ORGANOGRAPHY. 



in proportion as the flowers are more nearly being 

 sessile upon the horizontal expansion produced by it. 

 This expansion bears the name of the Receptacle of 

 the flowers (receptaculumj ; some have given it the 

 name of Phoranth or Clinanth. 



When the flowers are not numerous, as in di- or tri- 

 chotomous inflorescences, or when they are provided with 

 distinct pedicels, as in most Umbelliferas, the receptacle 

 then differs so little from the other parts of the rami- 

 fications, that this name is but seldom applied to it ; but 

 in this case, as in those where it is more evident, the re- 

 ceptacle or common point of departure of the branches 

 of an umbel, is a more or less dilated portion, in which 

 is deposited, before the flowering, a certain quantity of 

 nutritive matter, which serves for the further develop- 

 ment of the flowers or fruits. All many-flowered 

 receptacles are likewise generally very thick and fleshy. 

 This deposition of nutriment which is stored up for the 

 flowers, is appropriated by men and animals for their 

 own use ; thus we take the receptacles of the Fig, the 

 Artichoke, and other syngenesious plants, precisely for 

 the same reason which makes us select tubercules and 

 fleshy cotyledons, because we find in them a deposition 

 of nutriment ; thus a great number of insects establish 

 themselves in the receptacles of capitulate or umbellate 

 flowers, because they not only find there a shelter, but 

 also abundant nutriment. When insects attack them 

 (and floriculturists know that this is but too frequent,) 

 they always direct their efforts at the point of departure 

 of the rays, which represents the receptacle, and which 

 contains the store of nourishment intended for the 

 flowering. 



The covered receptacles of sessile flowers are of a 

 whitish colour, being etiolated by their being shaded 

 from the fight ; before flowering they are in general 



