INFLORESCENCE. 
different trees ; and of the order Octandria, because its barren flow¬ 
ers have eight stamens. 
Fig. 92. 
a 
b 
d 
B 
11th, Spadix, is an assem¬ 
blage of flowers growing upon 
a common receptacle, and 
surrounded by a spatha or 
sheath. At Fig. 92, A, a , is a 
representation of the blossom 
of the wild turnip, ( arum ;) a 
represents the spatha, which 
is erect, sheathing, oblong, 
convolute at the base, b ; and 
it is compressed above and 
below the middle; c, repre¬ 
sents the spadix, which, from 
its club-shaped appearance, is 
called clavi-form , (from clava, 
a club.) 
At B , is the spadix divested 
of the spatha ; a, is the clavi- 
form summit; b, a ring of fila¬ 
ments without anthers ; c, a 
ring of sessile anthers ; d , a 
dense ring of pistillate flov r ers 
f with sessile stigmas; each 
germ produces a one-celled, globular berry. This plant is of the 
class Moncecia, because its staminate and pistillate flowers are sep¬ 
arate, but yet grow on the same plant; it is in the order Polyandria, 
because its stamens are numerous. 
Receptacle. 
The receptacle is the extremity of the peduncle, it is also called 
the clinanthe ,* from Mine, bed, and anthos, flower; at first it sup¬ 
ports the flower, and afterward the fruit. As this is its only use, it 
may properly be considered in connexion with the organs of fruc¬ 
tification. In simple flowers, as the tulip, the receptacle is scarcely 
to be distinguished from the peduncle, but in compound flowers it is 
expanded, and furnishes a support for the flowers and fruit. Recep¬ 
tacles are of various kinds ; as, 
1st. Proper, which supports but one flower, as in the violet 
and lily. 
2d. Common, which supports many florets, the assemblage of 
which forms an aggregate or compound flower, as in the sunflower 
and dandelion. The common receptacle presents a great variety 
of forms ; as concave, convex, flat, conical, or sphericpl. In the fig it 
is concave, and constitutes the fruit. As to its surface, the recep¬ 
tacle is punctate, as in the daisy; hairy, as in the thistle; naked, as 
in the dandelion ; chajfy, as in the chamomile; it is pulp}^ in the 
strawberry, and dry in most plants. 
3d. Rachis, is the filiform receptacle which connects the florets in 
a spike, as in a head of wdieat. 
Our examination of the flower is now completed. We shall, in 
our next lecture, proceed to consider the change which takes place, 
after the bloom and beauty of the plant have faded. We shall 
find that organs, at first scarcely perceptible, begin to develop 
__* Sometimes torus , from the Latin, signifying bed,_ 
Spadix—Receptacle—What is the proper receptacle?—What the common?—What 
is the rachis ? 
8 
