308 MORPHOLOGY. 



so if the number of flowers is very great. It may be more mi- 

 nutely designated as simple, discoid, cupulate, lageniform, conical, 

 and cylindrical, as it approaches nearer to one or another. The 

 last form then passes gradually into the spadix. 

 Special varieties are : 



a. The calathium (anthodium Ehrh.,jtf0s compositus Linn.) A 

 many-flowered capitulum, whose single flowers stand in the axils 

 of more or fewer stunted bracts, and are surrounded with one or 

 more circles of sterile bracts, as in the family of the Composite. 



b. The ccenanthium Nees, hypanthodium Link, exactly like 

 the preceding inflorescence, in some Urticeacce. The cup-shape of 

 the peduncle in Ficus is no distinction, since it is wanting in Dor- 

 stenia ; and it exists in some Composites ; the same may be said 

 with regard to the sterile bracts, which are as much stunted in Dor- 

 stenia as they are clearly present in Ficus. 



2. The spike (spica) in very various forms. The kinds are : 



a. The catkin (amentum), distinguished by the fact that it falls 

 off entire or by its imperfect flowers. The male inflorescence of 

 Cupuliferce, Salicacece, Betulinece, and some few other plants. 



b. The spadix. A closely crowded spike, or partially a cylin- 

 drical capitulum with fleshy peduncle; in Aroidece, Maize, and 

 some other Grasses, and in Palms, in the last of which it is often 

 compound (spadix ramosus). 



c. The cone (strobilus or conus). A cylindrical capitulum or 

 solid spike, on which the individual foliar organs become woody 

 scales ; as in the Conifer a, the Casuarinacea, the Betulinece, and 

 some others. 



d. The spikelet (spicula). The simple inflorescence of the 

 Grasses and CyperacecB ; namely, a few-flowered spike, whose 

 flowers have no bracts, surrounded at the basis by one or two 

 sterile bracts (glumce).* 



3. The umbel (umbella) in the Umbelliferce ; when compound 

 termed umbellule (umbellula). 



4. The raceme (racemus) occurs in very different forms ; it is 

 usual to distinguish in it 



a. The corymb (corymbus), a pyramidal raceme. 



j8. Inflorescentia centrifuga. 



5. The cyme or false umbel (cyma), a corymb with inflor. cen- 

 trifuga. 



N. B. That only singular cases are distinguished in these is 

 a proof of the totally unscientific patching together of termino- 

 logy. The compound raceme, the compound umbel, and capitulum, 

 with inflor. centrifuga, are all called a cyme (cyma\ which is con- 

 trary to the commonest scientific laws. DeCandolle has further 



* This, as Link cleverly observed, stands in the same relation to the spike as the 

 ealatlrium to the capitulum. 



