. The elements of botany for beginners and for schools. Plants. SECTION 8.] INFLORESCENCE. 73. 201. When flowers thus arise singly from the axils of ordinary leaves, they are axillary and solitary, not collected into flower-clusters. 202. But when several or many flowers are produced near each other, the accompanying leaves are apt to be of smaller size, or of different shape or character: then they are called Bracts, and the flowers thus brought together form a cluster. The kinds of ilower-clusters of the indeterminate class have re- ceived distinct names, according to their form and disposit
. The elements of botany for beginners and for schools. Plants. SECTION 8.] INFLORESCENCE. 73. 201. When flowers thus arise singly from the axils of ordinary leaves, they are axillary and solitary, not collected into flower-clusters. 202. But when several or many flowers are produced near each other, the accompanying leaves are apt to be of smaller size, or of different shape or character: then they are called Bracts, and the flowers thus brought together form a cluster. The kinds of ilower-clusters of the indeterminate class have re- ceived distinct names, according to their form and disposition. They are principally Raceme, Corymb, Umbel, Spike, Head, Spadix, Catkin, and Panicle. 203. In defining these it will be necessary to use some of the following terms of descriptive botany which relate to inflorescence. If a flower is stalkless, i. e. sits directly in the axil or other support, it is said to be sessile. If raised on a naked stalk of its own (as in Fig. 199) it is pedun- culate, and the stalk is a Peduncle. 204. A peduncle on which a flower-cluster is raised is a Common peduncle. That which supports each separate flower of the cluster is a Partial peduncle, and is generally called a Pedicel. The portion of the general stalk along which flowers are disposed is called the Axis of inforescence, or, when covered with sessile flowers, the Rhachis (hack-bone), and sometimes the Receptacle. The leaves of a flower-cluster generally are termed Bracts. But when bracts of different orders are to be distinguished, those on the common pedun- cle or axis, and which have a flower in their axil, keep the name of bracts ; and those on the pedicels or partial flower- stalks, if any, that of Bractlets or Bracteoles. The for- mer is the preferable English name. 205. A Raceme (Fig. 200) is that form of flower-cluster in which the (lowers, each on their own foot-stalk or pedicel, are arranged along the sides of a common stalk or axis of inflorescence; as in the Lily of the Valley,
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