188 TABULAE VIEW OF INFLOEESCENCE. 



to shorten the axis, and have all the flowers rising from its contracted 

 termination, we should find that the outer flowers expanded first and 

 were followed by the inner ones, the development heing then centri- 

 petal, and as the development of flowers from the main axis is limited 

 only by the vigour of the plant, the inflorescence is called indefinite. 

 Pig. 278 shows a definite inflorescence. In this case all the flowers 

 do not belong to the same axis, but the first axis elongates and 

 terminates in a single floret (1), and no more flowers are produced 

 on this axis, but if another flower exist in the inflorescence it consti- 

 tutes the terminal floret of a new axis (2), similar to the first, and 

 arising from it. And the flower of this new axis expands after that 

 of the central axis, hence the expansion of florets is from above down- 

 wards, or from within outwards, i.e. centrifugal. And as each axis 

 has the power of producing only one floret which terminates it, the 

 inflorescence is definite. If more florets exist in this inflorescence, 

 each one terminates an axis which arises in a manner simijar to that 

 already described. Thus the number of florets in such an inflores- 

 cence wUl depend on the number of bracts which are produced upon 

 the several axes, and which give rise to new unifloral axes. Fig. 278 

 represents such a definite inflorescence, where two bracts are produced 

 on each axis, giving rise to similar new axes ; the whole inflorescence 

 in this case being a biparous cyme. 



Tabulae View of InrLo'iussoENOE. 



A. Indefinite Centripetal Inflorescence. 



I. Flowers solitary, axillary. 



Vnica, Veronica hederifolia. 



II. Flowers in groups, pedicellate. 



1. Elongated form (Kaceine), Hyacinth, Ldburnvm, Cwrrant. 

 (Coryml)), Omithogahmi. 



2. Contracted or shortened form (Umbel), Cowslip, Astrantia. 



III. Flowers in groups, sessile. 



1. Elongated form (Spike), Plantago. 

 (Spikelet), Grasses. 



(Amentum, Catkin), Willoto, Hazel. 



(Spadix) Arum, some Palms. 



(Cone), Fir, Spruce. 



(Strobilus), Hop. 



2. Contracted or shortened form (Capitulum), Daisy, Dandelion, ScaUous. 



IV. Compound indefinite inflorescence. 

 a. Compound Spike, Rye-grass. 



h. Compound Spadix, Palms. 



c. Compound Raceme, Astilbe. 



d. Compound Umbel, Hemlock and most Umbelliferae. 



e. Raceme of Capitnla, Petasites. 



f. Raceme of Umbels, Ivy. 



B. Definite Centrifugal Inflorescence. 

 I. Flowers solitary, terminal. 



Oemtianella, Pasony. 



