20 INTEODUCTOEY ESSAY.
The mo e distinctly flagelliform the spadices are, the more, elongated is the
.portion of their axis interposed betweon two partial inflorescences, and in this case the
hase of the spatbe is so gradually connected with the axis as to render it impossible
to determine from the outside where the spathe begins to be an organ independent
of the axis. When the segments of the axis interposed between two
jmrtial inflorescences are very long these are always, at least in their lower parts
armed externally, like a flagellum, with simple ternato or eyen half-whorled claws. •
As a general rule the spathes are more densely armed with hooked prickles
-on the outer or dorsal than on the inner or vential side.
The lowest or outermost primary spathe is almost always somewhat differently
shaped from those that succeed it, and provides important diagnostic characters. It is
usually thickcr in texture and less cylindric than the others; is not infrequently
flattened and two edged and is more spinous on the margins and on the back
than tlio upper spathes. In the very earliest stages of the spadix the first. spathe
includes all the subsequent ones; these emerge one from the other like the
tubes of
The upper primary spathes become gradually shorter and narrower, and the
ultimate ones help to form the slender filainentous flagellum.
XIII- - The Part ial Jnflorescen ces.
From or near the mouth of every primary spathe, except the outermost, springs,
•usually distichously, a partial inflorescence. The number of the inflorescences varies
both according to the species and to the strength of the individual plant.
In several species the partial inflorescences end in a spikelet larger than the
lower ones; in others, laterally to the uppermost spikelet springs a more or less
distinct caudicle formed of diminutive sheathing spathes and representing the prolongation
of the axis.
The lower inflorescences of a spadix are almost always larger and more branched,
and bear more spikelets than the upper ones ; there is a gradual diminution
i n size, degree of branching and number of spikelets of the inflorescences from the
base of the spadix towards the apex, where the partial inflorescence is not infrequently
reduced to li few spikelets or even to a single spikelet.
The spathes which sheath the axis of the partial inflorescences follow the same
rule as the primary spathes, from which indeed they do not essentially differ,
and become gradually shorter and narrower as they approach the apex.
XIV.—The Spikelets.
The ultimate divisions of the partial inflorescences bear small axes beset with
flowers which may be considered spikelets, whidi name I find preferable to that of
" J u l i " employed by Martius. The name " Julus " or " Amentum " (Cai/««) is usually
applied to a cylindric inflorescence where the flowers are attached all round a central
axis, whereas in the spikelets of Calamus the flowers are almost always regularly
¿irranged in two series right and left of the central axis so that the spikelets appear
flattened exactly as in many Graminecs.
THE SPtEELETS. 21
Owing to this bifarious arrangement, the flowers when veiy close together and
" " L the same plane, render the spikelets comb-like or pectinate. Not infrequently,
however, both señes of flowers are more or less assurgent and point upwards so that
the spikelets acquire a scorpioid tendency, as for example in 0. GamUei, and
C Suegelianus and in most of the species of the groups to which C. exilia and
C. hetcracanihus belong.
In a few instances the disposition of the flowers is not clearly evident. In
C. gonospermus, for example, it is not easy ' to make out whether the spadix is
-composed of short spikelets with closely packed glomerulate flowers or of contracted
partial inflorescences in which what appear to be glomerules of flowers are contracted
spikelets. In 0. Lohlianus also the spikelets are short and dense and their original
structure, especially when they are laden with fruits, is difScult to recognise.
With the single exception of C. polystachys only one spikelet, in all the known
species of Calamus^ arises from every secondary spathe. In C. polysiachys, however,
in the lower part of the inflorescences there are 2-3 spikelets in the axil of each
secondary spathe, though towards the top the spikelets are solitary.
As a general rule the lower spikelets in every partial inflorescence are larger
than the upper ones; these gradually diminish in size and number of flowers, the
uppermost being the smallest.
Most usually the spikelets are inserted at or near slightly above or inside the
mouth of the corresponding spathe; but in some species, for instance in all those
belonging to the groups of C. castanms, C. zeylanicus and C. Zollingerii they are
attached to their base by moans of a pedicellar part as long as the spathe from
which the spikelet emerges (PLATE II, fig. 2). If the spikelets be pedicellate even
the flowers, as will be seen presently, are borne on pedicellate involucres.
The appendicular organs of the spikelets which are spathes of a reducod or
diminished nature are termed "spafchels." Even when the primary and secondary
spathes are prickly the spathels are always unarmed; the only exception known to me
is in the VAK. iimihris of C. paapalanthus, where the spatbcls are provided with one
or two diminutive claws; usually however when the secondary spathes are scabrid, a
similar scabridity is present on the spathels and even on the involucres.
The various appendicular organs of the spikelets arc of much diagnostic importance,
but it is not always easy to establish their nomenclature; and to be certain
of their exact morphological nature it is essential first to know the sex of the
spikelets because the appendicular organs or involucra of the flowers are not the same
in the male and female spikelets.
Male Spikelets.—The male spikelets of Calami are of simpler structure than the
female ones, since the flowers in the first have only one proper involucre (PLATE I,
figs. 1-3) while in the second the involucre is double (PLATE I, figs. 8-12),
moreover, the male spikelets have only one kind of flower, and the flowers with
their involucres are solitary in the axil of every spathel (PLATE I, figs. 1-3), while
the female spikelets have always at least two flowers to each spathel (PLATJS I,
fig. 10) of which one is female, the other is more male than female, but is sterile
and speedily deciduous.