272 



THE FLOWER. 



is inverted on a more or less lengthened and stout support, which 

 is conceived to represent the carpel. (Fig. 5GO, 561.) 



r><r.t. In tlu' true C'oni ferae, to which Pines, Cypresses, and all 

 such cone-fruiting trees belong, the ovules are borne on or in 

 the axils of scales which arc imbricated on a simple axis, in a 

 spicate or capitate manner: and the male flowers, each a single 

 , are also similarly spicate or capitate. Both are com- 

 monly termed ainents or catkins ; and the female 

 ones properly so, according to the present view ; 

 but the only scales of the male catkins are parts 

 of the anther, being a dilated tip of the connective 

 in Pines, and a scale bearing anther-cells or pollen- 

 sacs on its back in Cypress. 



510. In the Pine tribe the flowering female catkin consists of 

 bracts, spirally imbricated on the cauline axis : in the axil of 

 each bract or sterile scale is developed a scale 

 which 1 tears two ovules, and is therefore regarded 

 as of carpellary nature. These ovules are pro- 

 duced on the lower part of the upper face of this 

 carpellary scale, and are wholly adherent to it 

 quite to the orifice, which is directed downward. 

 (Fig. 562, 563.) The ovuliferous scale in 

 becoming fructiferous usually much and soon out- 

 grows the bract, which is concealed in the Pine- 

 cone (or sometimes obliterated): but it remains 

 conspicuous in sundry Fir-cones. After fertil- 

 ization, the scales, successively covering each 

 other in close imbrication, protect the growing 

 seeds as effectually as would a closed ovary. 

 Sooner or later after ripening the scales diverge, and the seeds 

 peel off the face of the scale with a wing attached, and fall or 

 are dispersed by the wind. 1 



1 Among those who admit as well as those who reject gymnospermy, 

 there has l>een much controversy over the morphology of the parts. With 

 the former, the discussion turns on the character of the ovulil'cnuis scale. 

 As to this, the hypothesis originally proposed hy Mohl, and adopted by 

 Braun, is now said to he satisfactorily demonstrated hv Sten/el. in Nov. Act. 

 Nat. Cur. xxxviii. 1S7G. See note hy Kngclmnnn in Amer. .Tour. Rci. Dec. 

 1876, and also the preface to the second part of Eichler's Bliithciidiugramme, 



Fl< ; -,;_'. View of the upper face of a carpellary scale of a Lan-h, showing the pair 

 of adnatr 



rid. 563. Similar vi.-w ..f a rarpollary scale of :i Larrh. and of a l>ract behind it. 

 564. Ground plan <>f tin- satin- in diagram, reversed; the upprr ligmc di -not ing the axis 

 of the cone, the lower tin- In-net, the middle one the carpellary si-ale and the two ovules 

 borne on its face. After Eichler. 



