WAYSIDE WEEDS, 87 



some of our readers stare at the idea — in little 

 clusters, eaoli one of wLick constitutes a glomerulus. 

 One of the most unique forms of inflorescence, how- 

 ever, is the spathe {Fig. 60), which is composed of 

 an assemblage of blossoms inclosed within a sort of 

 sheath or hood; as in the wake-robin — lords and 

 ladies — so common by English hedge-sides in early- 

 spring j most EngUsh children know it, and will 

 readilj recognize what is meant. Almost we fear 

 to bewilder you with these varied names and de- 

 scriptions, which it is difficult to make attractive 

 to a beginner, though it is well to get some know- 

 ledge of them. Only one more, and we have done. 

 Look at Fig. 48, which illustrates the fruit-claster 

 of the common elder ; it is neither umbel, corymb, 

 nor raceme, but seems a mixture of all three, and 

 gets the name of cyme. It is most near the corymb, 

 however, in form, and derives its principal diversity 

 from the order in which its blossoms become de- 

 veloped and expanded; albeit this brings us to 

 another subject connected with inflorescence — the 

 order of expansion of blossoms, whether definite or 

 indefinite, whether tending towards the centre of 

 the floral axis or centre, or tending away from it. 

 It is, perhaps, better, in these our early days of 

 weed-gathering, not to puzzle you with this sub- 

 ject; it is scarcely requisite for oar first lessons, 

 which we are bound in good faith to keep as simple 

 for you as possible. Look back to Pig, 53, the 



