INFLORESCENCE. 41 



3. SPIKE, (spica.} PL 10, fig. 9. Bears numerous 

 flowers, ranged along a common stalk, without any 

 partial stalks. Ex. An ear of Wheat $ Greater Plan- 

 tain, Plant ago major. 



Observation. 1. A mode of flowering in which the flowers are 

 ranged alternately upon both sides of a simple flower-stalk 

 Milne. 



2. Some latitude is allowed to this difinition, and the term spike 

 is in many instances applied to flowers, which are not entirely with- 

 out partial peduncles. Smith. 



3. The common stalk of a SPIKE is termed RAOHIS, from its re- 

 semblance to the back-bone of an animal. 



Compound spike, (spica composita.) In a compound 

 spike the peduncle is divided. 



Spikelet, (spiculd) is a term applied exclusive- 

 ly to the grasses that have many florets in one calyx, 

 such florets being ranged on a little stalk constituting 

 the spikelet, which little stalk is a part of the flower 

 itself and not of the infloresence. Smith. 



Observation. These little groups of florets in one calyx, are 

 termed spikelets whether they are so disposed as to constitue a 

 spike or a panicle. 



Interrupted spike, (spica interrupta*) In an inter- 

 rupted or whorled spike, the flowers are in separate 

 groups. Ex. Mentha spicata. 



One-rowed, (secunda) a spike whose flowers lean 

 all to one side. 



Two-rowed, (disticha) when the flowers look to 

 both sides or stand two ways. 



Spiral, (spiralis) twisted like a screw. Ex. La- 

 dies' traces, J\eottia cernua. 



Observation, A spike generally gro^s erect. Its mode of ex- 

 pansion, is much more progressive than that of the raceme, so that 

 a long period elapses between the fading of the lowest flowers and 

 the opening of the upper ones. 



4. CORYMB, (corymbus.) PI. 11, fig. i. A mode 

 of flowering, in which the lesser or partial flower- 



