214 



THE INFLORESCENCE. 



393. The base both of the head and the umbel is frequently fur- 

 nished with a number of imperfect leaves or bracts, crowded into a 



cluster or whorl, termed an Involucre. The involucre assumes a 

 great variety of forms ; sometimes resembling a calyx ; and some- 



FIG. 320. Head of flowers of the Buttou-busli, Cephalantlius occidentalis. 

 FIG. 321. Plant of Comus Canadensis, with its four-leayed involucre around a cluster of small 

 flowers. 322. A separate flower enlarged. 

 FIG. 323. Flowering branch of Cichory, with two heads of ligulate flowers. 



