118 



MANUAL OP BOTANY 



Difficulties of identification also sometimes arise in consequence 

 of the modification and suppression of bracts, and various distor- 

 tions that may occur during growth. 



Fie. 225. 



Fig. 226. 



Fig. •lib. Hypanthodium of the Pig 

 {Fkus C'arica), showing pear- 

 shaped fleshy receptacle bearing 



flowers on its inner siu'face. 



Fin. 226. Ooenantliium of a 

 of DoTBtenia. 



\ species 



Definite, or Cymose Infiorescetice. 



In all kinds of definite inflorescence the primary axis, as we 

 have seen, is arrested in its growth at an early age by the 

 development of a terminal flower-bud, and if the axis bears 

 no other flower, this is called a solitary terminal flower, and is 

 the simplest form of this variety of inflorescence. Examples of 

 it may be seen in the Stemless Gentian {fig. 228), and in the 

 Wood Anemone. When other flowers are produced on such an 

 axis, they must necessarily arise from axillary flower-buds 

 placed below the terminal one ; and if these form secondary 

 axes {fig. 227, a"), each axis will in like manner be ter- 

 minated by a flower-bud, /" ; if further axes, a'", are developed 

 from the secondary ones, these also must be axillary, and 

 will end in a similar manner in flowers, /"', and these axes 

 may also form other axes of a like character, and so on. 

 Hence this mode of inflorescence is definite, determinate, or 

 terminal, in contradistinction to the former or indefinite 

 mode of inflorescence already described, where the primary 

 axis continues to grow in length, and never ends in a flower. 

 Definite inflorescences are most common and regular in plants 

 with opposite or whorled leaves, but they also occur in those 



