INFLORESCENCE OE ANTHOTAXIS'. 



175 



Here the axis is either elongated, producing flower-buds as it grows, 

 the lower expanding first; or it is shortened and depressed, and 

 the outer flowers expand first. The expansion of the flowers is 

 thus centripetal, that is, from base to apex, or from circumference to 

 centre. This kind of inflorescence is shown in flg. 252, where the leaf 

 from which the cluster of flowers is produced, /, represents the bract 

 or floral leaf. The rachis, or primary axis of the flower, is a! ; this 

 produces small leaflets, 6, which bear smaller flower-leaves or bractlets, 

 from which peduncles or secondary axes spring, each bearing single 

 flowers. The whole inflorescence is the product of one branch, the 

 lower flowers having expanded first, and Isear- 

 ing fruit, while the upper are in bud, and the 

 middle are in full bloom. In fig.i.253, the 

 same kind of inflorescence is shown on a 

 shortened axis, the outer flowers expanding 

 first, and those in the centre last. 



Kg. 262. 



Fig. 253. 



The second kind of Inflorescence is Determinate, Definite, or Terminal'. 

 In this the axis is either elongated and ends in a solitary flower, which 

 thus terminates the axis, and if other flowers are produced, they belong 

 to secondary axes farther from the centre ; or the axis is shortened 

 and flattened, producing a number of separate floral axes, the central 

 one expanding first, while the others are developed in succession farther 

 from the centre. The expansion of the flowers is in this case centri- 

 fugal, that is, from apex to base, or from centre to circumference. It 

 is illustrated in fig. 254, where a representation is given of a plant of 

 Eanunculus bulbosus ; a is the primary axis swollen at the base in a 

 bulb-like manner, b, and with roots proceeding from it. From the 



Fig. 252. Raceme of Barberry (Berberis vulgaris), produced in the axil of a leaf or bract, 

 /, whioh has been transformed into a spine, with two stipules, s, at its base, a'. Primary 

 floral axis, bearing small alternate bracts, b, in the axil of which the secondary axes, a" a", 

 are produced, each terminated by a flower. The expansion of the flowers is centripetal, or 

 from base to apex ; the lower flowers have passed into the state of fruit, the middle are 

 fully expanded, and those at the top are stiU in bud. Indeterminate simple inflorescence. 

 Fig. 253. Head of flowers (cwpitvMvm) of Scabiosa atro-purpurea. The inflorescence is 

 simple and indeterminate, and the expansion of the flowers centripetal, those at the circum- 

 ference opening flrst. 



