XV] 



MORPHOLOGY OF CONE 



137 



so far that the male cone (flower) consists of numerous 

 spirally arranged scales of which all but the lowermost 

 bear two pollen-sacs each on their lower faces ; while 

 the female flower (cone) has similarly numerous spirally 

 imbricated scales, each of which, except the lowermost, 

 bears on its axillary face a second appressed scale, on 

 the upper face of which are two collateral ovules in an 

 inverted position i.e. the apex, or micropyle end, of each 

 ovule is turned towards the axil (Figs. 37, 38). 



Many views have been taken as to the morphology of 

 the cone. I shall adopt the simple, and widely accepted 

 one, that each scale represents an open carpel, bearing 



7) 



Fig. 38. Flowers of the Silver Fir. A, young, and B, old staminate 

 cone, consisting of numerous staminate scales on an axis, with imbricated 

 barren scales below; C, three stamens seen from above, from below, and 

 from the side. D, scales of ? cone seen from below and from above, the 

 latter showing the placental scales and its two ovules (Wi). 



on its inner (upper) face a placental scale bearing two 

 inverted ovules. Whether the barren scales at the base 

 of the cone represent incipient floral envelopes or not 

 is hardly important, but it is significant that they are 



