XXIV OUTLINES OP BOTANY. 



immediately under the pedicel. Such branches, when in bud, are generally 

 rolled back at the top, like the tail of a scorpion, and are thence called 

 scorpioid. 



a Thyrsus, or thyrsoid, when cymes, usually opposite, are arrranged 

 in a narrow pyramidal panicle. 



75. There are numerous cases where inflorescences are intermediate 

 between some two of the above, and are called by different botanists by 

 one or the other name, according as they are guided by apparent or by 

 theoretical similarity. A spike-like panicle, where the axis is divided into 

 very short branches forming a cylindrical compact inflorescence is called 

 sometimes a spike, sometimes a panicle. If the flowers are in distinct clus- 

 ters along a simple axis, the inflorescence is described as an interrupted 

 spike or raceme, according as the flowers are nearly sessile or distinctly 

 pedicellate ; although when closely examined the flowers will be found to 

 be inserted not on the main axis, but on a very short branch, thus, strictly 

 speaking, constituting a panicle. 



76. The Catkins (Amenta) of Amentacece, the Spadices of several Mono- 

 cotyledons, the Ears and Spikelets of Grasses, are forms of the spike. 



77. Bracts are generally placed singly under each branch of the in- 

 florescence, and under each pedicel ; bracteoles are usually two, one on each 

 side, on the pedicel or close under the flower, or even upon the calyx itself ; 

 but bracts are also frequently scattered along the branches without axil- 

 lary pedicels ; and when the differences between the bracts and bracteoles 

 are trifling or immaterial, they are usually all called bracts. 



78. When three bracts appear to proceed from the same point, they 

 will, on examination, be found to be really either one bract and two sti- 

 pules, or one bract with two bracteoles in its axil. When two bracts appear 

 to proceed from the same point, they will usually be found to be the stipules 

 of an undeveloped bract, unless the branches of the inflorescence are oppo- 

 site, when the bracts will of course be opposite also. 



79. When several bracts are collected in a whorl, or are so close together 

 as to appear whorled, or are closely imbricated round the base of a head or 

 umbel, they are collectively called an Involucre. The bracts composing an 

 involucre are described under the name of leaves, leaflets, bracts or scales, 

 according to their appearance. Thyllaries is a useless term, lately intro- 

 duced, for the bracts or scales of the involucre of Composites. An Involucel 

 is the involucre of a partial umbel. 



80. When several very small bracts are placed round the base of a calyx 

 or of an involucre, they have been termed a Calycule, and the calyx or 

 involucre said to be calyculate ; but these terms are now falling into disuse, 

 as conveying a false impression. 



81. A Spathais a bract or floral leaf enclosing the inflorescence of some 

 Monocotyledons. 



82. Palece, Pales, or Chaff, are the inner bracts or scales in Composite, 

 Graminece, and some other plants, when of a thin yet stiff consistence, 

 usually narrow and of a pale colour. 



83. Glumes are the bracts enclosing the flowers of Cyperacece and 

 Graminece, 



§ 8. The Flower in General, 



84. A complete Flower (15) is one in which the calyx, corolla, stamens, 

 and pistils are all present ; a perfect flower, one in which all these organs, 



