120 MANUAL OP BOTANY 



in a flower. These are therefore axillary when considered in 

 relation to the primary axis, but terminal as regards the 

 secondary ones. The main axis itself terminates in a flower 

 in the eases of the Gentian [fig. 228) and the Anemone 

 already alluded to. When such flowers are arranged in whorls 

 round the stem, as in Hippuris, each flower being in the axil of 

 a leafy bract [fig. 229), they are said to be whorled. 



b. The Dichasium.—ln this variety the main peduncle is 

 terminated by a flower, and some little distance behind the apex 

 two opposite bracts are formed, from the axil of each of which 

 another peduncle arises, terminated in like manner by a flower. 

 Each secondary peduncle in like manner gives rise to two more 

 flowers. This order of development may be continued for 

 some time, an inflorescence of considerable size resulting, as in 

 Fig. 228. Fjq, 229. 



Fi(/. 228. Solitary terminal flower of GenHana 



acauW. Fig. 229. Whorled leafy bracts 



and solitary axillary flowers of Mare's Tail 

 {Uippuris vulgaris). 



Erytlirrea Oentaureum (fig. 231). Very frequently the axes of 

 high order only give rise to one flower instead of two, the other 

 with its bract not being developed. The dichasium, from the 

 regularity of its forking, is sometimes called a false dichotom/y. 

 It can be distinguished from a true dichotomy by the presence 

 of a flower in the angle of the fork. 



c. The Polychasiiun. — This only differs from the dichasium 

 in having more than two secondary axes springing from 

 each peduncle below its terminal flower. Frequently the 

 primary terminal flower is suppressed, so that the secondary 

 axes appear to originate at the apex of the main peduncle 

 without reference to a, flower. The true nature of the inflo- 

 rescence can, however, be seen from the fact that the order of 

 expansion of the flowers is centrifugal. Examples can be seen 



