Journal of Proceedings. xci
opposite, like the leaves upon the stem, but in that the sub-terminal
flower has a pair of bracts upon the stalk below the calyx which indicates
the capacity of such a stalk for branching.
Panicles formed on the same plan as that of the Traveller's-joy may
be found in the Privet, the Lilac, and other plants with woody stems.
Indeed, the panicle with a terminal flower in the centre, and with
every branch ending in a flower under which lateral flowers appear in a
series, which for the most part expand from below upwards (but with a
reservation to the effect that the lowest flower of all is not therefore to
be the first in opening), illustrates the general principle which is followed
in the corymb and the cyme in the Pear, the Elder, and the Laurustinus
as well as the Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus), by which this mode of
inflorescence is brought into close affinity with the truly centrifugal
system as commonly and correctly described in modern works of botany.
The genus Dianthus differs from other genera of its order Caryophyllacea)
in having commonly two pairs of bracts under each flower ; an arrange-
ment which almost universally indicates an intermediate, or mixed, form
of inflorescence as distinguished from either of those well understood
systems illustrated by the Wallflower and the Campion, or by almost any
plants of the orders to which these two respectively belong. In these
plants in which characters resulting from a long career of development
and differentiation appear constant and fixed, or only changing in
specimens with abnormal forms, we see resemblances to the less constant
modes of inflorescence found in the Monkshood and the Buttercup, from
which we may be justified in the inference that the primary or normal
form of inflorescence is to be found in the corymbs or panicles of
apetalous Ranunculaceae to which all other systems appear to be more or
less nearly related.
Cordial votes of thanks were accorded to the authors.
At the Conversazione Mr. H. J. Barnes exhibited a fine collection of
ferns from New South Wales, and Mr. R. M. Christy's collection of
Primulas was again shown, want of time having prevented its due
examination at the preceding meeting.
Saturday, December 16th, 1882.—Ordinary Meeting.
The thirty-fourth Ordinary Meeting was held at the Head-quarters at
seven o'clock, the President in the chair.
Donations of books and pamphlets (exclusive of "exchanges") were
announced from Mr. R. Meldola, Rev. P. A. Walker, and Mr. W.
Whitaker. Mr. English presented to the Museum a remarkable light
aberration of the common Blackbird. Thanks were duly voted for these
presents.
The following were elected members of the Club :—Messrs. J. D. Clay,
Sydney Cortauld, H. W. Knowles, E. G. Law, Edgar T. Lockett, G. N.
Maynard (Curator of the Saffron Walden Museum), E. C. J. Spurrell,
P.G.S., John Stevens, and Thomas Taylor, M.R.C.S. (Pres. Bocking
and Braintree Nat. Hist. Soc).