160 
RELATIONSHIPS or tas INDEFINITE INFLORESCENCES. 
By E. A. Newert Anser, B.A. 
recent years a oa attention has been paid to 
the staliy of eee =i The entire literature on the subject is 
not large, and w in the con have directed their energies 
shietiy to the slaeilatien of the definite or cymose type. The 
= egal important problems connected with the indefinite inflores- 
pe ot entirely, overlooked. It is customary at the present ‘day to 
acd all indefinite forms as ‘obvious modifications of the 
a "* As far as I am aw oe there has been little attempt 
It 
also be made to answer the question why nearly related species 
often possess very different inflorescences; a problem which is of 
ieensind interest to the systematist. 
SELF-APPARENT RELATIONSHIPS. 
In this paper only the chief forms of indefinite inflorescences will 
be dealt with ; these are, the raceme, spike, corymb, panicle, capit- 
ulum, and the simple and compound umbels. Several of these 
for instance, is related to the raceme, the raceme to the compound 
corym shows some points of relationship to the raceme, and 
at first sight also to the taba. The relationships of the umbel and 
capitulum are not, however, so self-apparent. ate the fact — 
efinite inflorescences is, I think, a strong a abe aco 
in Te of a complete relationship throughout. Taking this into 
unt, I have endeavoured to “anon a theory to fit in as far 
a ‘teat a with the observed fact: 
Tony or InreRNODEs.+ 
oral shoots; the presence absence of 1 0 fie 
leaves (bracts), and their arrangement; the ence or absence 
of peduncles of the Ist, 2nd .... ers. It is true that these 
escence are connected with —(1) Questions of vital energy ; (2) 
* Hooker’s Trans. Le Maout Decaisne’ ® 5 System of Botany, De oe 
+ I have called the principles whic! here 
*‘ the theory of i partie’ "aoa to facia any retro, 
