INDEFINITE INFLOEESCENCE. ■ 177 



leaves of the plant, the axis of the plant elongating beyond them, as in 

 Veronica hederifolia, Vinca minor, and Lysimachia nemoram. The ordi- 

 nary leaves in this case become floral leaves or bracts, by producing 

 flower-buds in place of leaf-buds. The flowers, being all ofishoots 

 of the same axis, are said to be of the same generation or degree, and 

 their number, like that of the leaves of this main axis, is indefinite, 

 varying with the vigour of the plant. Frequently, however, the floral 

 axis, arising from a more or less altered leaf or bract, instead of ending 

 in a solitary flower, is prolonged, and bears numerous leaflets, called 

 braeteoles or bractlets, from which smaller peduncles are produced, and 

 those in their turn may be branched in a similar way. According to 

 the nature of the subdivision, and the origin and length of the flower- 

 stalks, numerous varieties of floral arrangements arise. When the 

 primary peduncle or floral axis, as in fig. 252 a', is elongated, and gives 

 off pedicels, a, of nearly equal length ending in single flowers, a raceme 

 or cluster is produced, as in Currant, Hyacinth, and Barberry. If the 

 secondary floral axes give rise to tertiary ones, the raceme is branch- 

 ing, and forms what is by some called a panicle ; but it is better to 

 restrict this term to the lax inflorescence of some grasses and rushes. In 



Pig. 266. 



Rgv 267. 



fig. 255 is represented a branching raceme or so-called panicle of Yucca 

 gloriosa, a' being the primary axis or rachis with bracts, giving off 

 numerous secondary axes, a", which in their turn develop tertiary axes, 



Fig. 266. Corymb of Cerasus Mahaleb, produced in the axil of a leaf wliioli has fallen, 

 and terminating an abortive branch, at the base of which are modiiied leaves in the foim of 

 scales, e. a', Primary axis, or peduncle, or lachis, producing alternate bracts, 6 6, from the 

 axil of which secondary axes or pedicels, a" a", arise, each bearing a single flower. The 

 expansion of the flowers is centripetal - Fig. 257. Branching corymb of Pyrus torminalis. 

 o'. Primary axis, a" a", Secondary axes, a'" a'". Tertiary axes or pedicels bearing the 

 flowers. 6 6 &, Bracts. 



N 



