FLOWERING. 



75 



opposite leaves and meet around the stem, eacli pair constitutes a ver- 

 ticilaster or verticil, as in catmint, hoarhound. 



363. How THESE MODES ARE MUTUALLY RELATED. All the fdrms of inflorescence 

 above described may, after all, be shown to be but modifications of a single typo, 

 as follows : 



Let us commence with the spike, a slender rachia with sessile flowers. Conceive 

 that pedicels be developed for the flowers, = a raceme ; let the pedicels branch, = 



22S 22T 226 



225 



222 



221 



Diagrams illustrating the forms of inflorescence ; graduated from the spilto to the compound 

 umbel, showing how related to each other. 



a panicle ; or let them aU be lengthened to the height of the raohis, =■ a corymb. 

 Now suppress the raohis to a point, making all the pedicels equal, =■ an umbel. 

 Once more, suppress all the pedicels, = a head. Now, if in each case we suppose 

 the evolutions of the flowers to be reversed, we have a oymose inflorescence. Fi- 

 nally, by a metamorphosis still more remarkable. 



The entire inflorescence is sometimes transformed into attenuated 

 tendrils, as in the grape. 



FLOWEKING. 



364. Dbfinition. In tlie bud the floral leaves (sepals and petals) 

 infold the floral organs (stamens and pistils) and conceal them from 

 view. Flowering consists of the opening or expansion of these envel- 

 ops, displaying every organ now perfected in growth and beauty, and 

 ready for the exercise of its function. 



365. Period of flowering. Each species of plant has its own 

 special season for flowering, uniform in the same climate, but varying 

 in difierent climates according to the general temperature. Hence each 

 month and each day of the month mark the date of flowering for some 

 one or more species, and these facts, when duly observed and recorded 

 in their proper order, constitute the floral calender for that locality. 



366. The floral calendar is an index of climate, and may vary 

 to a considerable degree in diflFerent years for the same locality or for 

 different localities in the same year. Such a calendar is prepared by 

 the botanical student when he carefully journalizes his discoveries from 

 day to day throughout the season. 



