36 



DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



generally rising from or near the base of the common 

 axis. They are often contiguous, as in some species of 

 phlox, larkspur, monkshood, and some veronicas ; or 

 they are distant, with the lower part often naked, forming 

 loose panicles, as in many grasses. 



Thyrse. — A much branched inflorescence, being a 

 compound of the spike, raceme, and panicle, as in the 

 vine, lilac, rhubarb, and many palms. 



Ament cr Catkiri. — A special kind of spike, formed of 

 scales bearing incomplete flowers, chiefly characteristic 

 of the willow, oak, walnut, and allied families (fig. l,d); 



Fig. 1. 



the male flowers of the fir family is an ament, the female 

 a cone (see Fruit). 



Clinanthium (bed or receptacle). — A thick spongy or 

 fleshy body of various forms, bearing numerous flowers ; 

 in the Contrayerva it is a flat disk with flowers on one 

 side only, in the Osage orange and breadfruit it is 

 globose or oblong, the whole surface being occupied with 

 sessile flowers ; in the fig it is a hollow cone, the flowers 

 lining the cavity (see Fruit) ; in the thistle family it is 

 round and flat, convex or columnar, and known as the 

 receptacle (fig. 1, c). 



