100 
INFLORESCENCE. 
important organs enclosed within the same corolla ; this is the 
case with most of our plants and shrubs, and even with the trees 
of hot countries ; whose leaves being always present, might 
impede the passage of the pollen. On the contrary the trees of 
cold climates have generally the stamens and pistils on separate 
flowers, blossoming before the leaves come forth, and in a windy 
season of the year. Those which blossom later, as the oak, are 
either peculiarly frequented by insects, or like the numerous 
kinds of firs, have leaves so little in the way, and pollen so ex- 
cessively abundant, that it can scarcely fail of gaining access to 
the pistillate flower. 
In all cases the pollen and stigma are in perfection at the 
same time, and the stamens are generally shortest in drooping 
flowers, and longest in erect ones ; thus in both cases hanging 
over the stigma. “ Gardeners formerly attempted to assist na- 
ture by stripping off the infertile flowers of melons and cucum- 
bers, considering them as unnecessary incumbrances since they 
would never become fruit. But finding that they then obtained 
no fruit at all, they soon learned the wiser practice of admitting 
the winds to blow, and the insects to transfer the pollen of the 
infertile to the fruit-bearing flowers.”* 
LECTURE XIV. 
Inflorescence — Receptacle — Fruit — MirbePs classification of 
fruits — Linnceus's classification of fruits. 
INFLORESCENCE. 
Having given our particular attention to the important uses 
of the stamens and pistils, we shall now proceed to consi- 
der the various ways in which flowers grow upon their stalks 
which is called their inflorescence, or mode of flowering. 
The position of the flower may be considered under three 
heads. 
With respect to the organs which it contains. 
With respect to the branches which support it. 
With respect to the flowers which are near it, or which grow 
on the same peduncle. 
* Smith. 
Trees of hot countries have mostly stamens and pistils on the same corol- 
la — Trees of cold countries have the stamens and pistils on separate flowers 
— Pollen and Stigrna in perfection at the same time. 
Inflorescence — Position of the corolla considered under three heads — 
