shed size of the fruits. A similar elongation has been observed in
the case of the walnut, catkins of which have been seen bearing thirty
to thirty-five large nuts.[511]

In the strobile of the hop, _Humulus Lupulus_, a like elongation may
sometimes be met with, generally in association with a more or less
leafy condition of some of the scales.

Of a similar character, but complicated with extrusion or eversion of an
ordinarily concave axis, is the fig described by Zuccarini,[512] and
from the appearances presented by which that author draws the inference
that the peculiar appearance of the fig is due to the formation of a
large number of small bracts blended together for the greater part of
their length, and accompanied by the suppression of the internodes, and
consequent shortening of the axis. In the monstrous fruit the axis is
prolonged, and forms a kind of raceme or catkin, surrounded at the base
by numerous bracts, as in many _Amentaceae_. (See p. 204, figs. 105,
106.)

A lengthening of the axis of the female strobiles of _Coniferae_ is not
of infrequent occurrence in _Cryptomeria japonica_, _Larie europaea_,
&c., and this is usually associated, as has been before stated, with a
leaf-like condition of the bracts, and sometimes even with the
development of leaf-bearing shoots in place of the scales. (See under
Prolification of Inflorescence and Phyllomorphy, and for references, p.
115.)

=Elongation of the secondary flower-stalks.=--In the previous section
the effect of elongation of the main rachis has been considered. A
corresponding deviation occurs in the peduncles or pedicels, and
sometimes alters the general character of the inflorescence very
considerably, converting a spike into a raceme, a raceme into a corymb,
a capitulum into an umbel, and so forth. A few such cases may here be
alluded to. Fig. 206 represents a specimen of _Ranunculus acris_, in
which the lower and lateral flower-stalks were not only increased in
number, but so much lengthened as to form a flat-topped inflorescence--a
corymbose cyme. In many leguminous plants, as in _Trifolium repens_,
_Lotus corniculatus_, &c., what is usually a compact spike, or head of
flowers, becomes a raceme from the elongation of the pedicels. In
_Umbelliferae_ a similar change occurs, by virtue of which sometimes the
umbels themselves, and at other times the florets, are raised on
unusually long stalks, as in _Angelica Razoulzii_, _Carum Carui_,
_Thysselinum