126 



MANUAL OF BOTANY 



But there are also other irregularities which are found in 

 separate inflorescences. Of these the following may be noticed. 



a. The Reversed Baceme. — This, though of the cymose type, 

 is arranged somewhat like the true raceme, inasmuch as the 

 main axis is stronger than its branches, which are developed 

 basipetally upon it (;?§'. 240). The oldest flower terminates the 

 main peduncle, two younger ones arise from the axils of the 

 uppermost leaves, two younger ones still form those of the next 

 pair, and so on for a variable distance down the axis. 



Fig. 2.S8. 



Fig. 239. 



Fig. 240. 



qg-^^^o 



Fig. 238. Diagram of the Bliipidium. The successive axes are marked «, a', 

 a," (fee. The basal portions of each being tliicker than the rest, a sym- 

 podium of zigzag form results, as seen in tlie centre of tlie figure. The 



order of expansion is seen in the lower figure as viewed from above. 



Fig. 239. Mixed inflorescence of a species of Senecio. Fig. 240. Figure 



of the reversed raceme (after Gray). 



The ultimate cymes of a polychasium often assume this 

 form {fig. 232). 



b. The Mixed Panicle. — This is a compound inflorescence in 

 which the main axis is racemose and the secondary ones are 

 irregular. It is of very frequent occurrence that a repeatedly 

 branching inflorescence of the panicle type changes its mode of 

 forming branches in its later ramifications. Thus in the panicle 

 of the Privet {fig. 241) we have the two methods illustrated. The 



