XXIV OUTLINES OF BOTANY. 
eeentely 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 Amentacee, the Spadices of several Mono- 
cotyledons, the Hars and Spzkelets 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 Jnvolucre. The bracts composing an 
involucre are described under the name of leaves, leaflets, bracts or scales, 
according to their appearance. Phyllaries is a useless term, lately intro- 
duced, for the bracts or scales of the involucre of Composite. 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. Palee, Pales, or Chaff, are the inner bracts or scales in Composite, 
Graminee, 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 Cyperacee and 
Graminee. 
§ 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, 
