116 Flowering and its Results* 



and stamens or pistils, arranged along a common thread-like 

 receptacle, as in the chestnut and willow ; these scales are all 

 calyxes. See fig. 6. The common name for this is catkin ; the 

 whole usually fall off in a single piece after flowering. 



A Raceme, fig. 19, consists of numerous scattered flowers, 

 each on i|s proper stem, proceeding from a common stalk, and 

 generally ^pendulous. The lowest flowers being the oldest, are 

 the first to expand, aud the others follow in regular succession ; 

 the fruit is often produced and ripened before the summit has 

 ceased bearing new flowers. Ex. Grape, currant and poke- 

 weed. 



A^Verticillis or whorl is when the flowers are sessile or on 

 very short petioles, forming a ring at intervals around the stem. 

 The mint is an instance ; sometimes they are only opposite, and 

 not continued round the stem, as in the dead nettle. Leaves 

 are said to be stellate, star-like, when inserted in this manner. 

 No. 15 is a Verticillis (Latin, verto, to turn). 



The Corymbus or false Umbel, is formed when the same ap- 

 pearance is presented as in the Umbel, but the flower-stalks, 

 instead of rising from a common centre, are produced from dif- 

 ferent heights : consequently the lower ones are long and the 

 upper ones short. See fig. 13. It prevails in the yarrow, spear- 

 leaved golden rod, &c. 



A Spike is an assemblage of sessile flowers, or those with 

 extremely short peduncles arising from a common stalk, being 

 the same as a Raceme, except the want of stalks in the flowers. 

 The lowest blossom and die before the upper range begin to 

 expand. When very closely crowded, as in the Indian corn, an 

 ear is formed. See fig. 23. Ex. Barley, Virginian Speed- 

 well, &c. 



A Cyme, like an Umbel, has its flower-stalk springing from 

 a common centre, but differs from it in their being sub-divided ; 

 the snowball and elder afford familiar examples ; but the most 

 beautiful specimen of the kind is perhaps that of the Laures- 

 tinus. Fig. 26. 



The Panicle is formed similar to a Raceme, differing from it 

 in the sub-divisions of the foot-stalks. It is sometimes com- 

 posed of small spikes fixed by separate stalks to a common 

 stem. The oat is a common example, see fig. 27. When 

 contracted, of a somewhat pyramidal form and oval, it is 



