398 



GYMNOSPERMS 



years earlier. Only three germinated, and only one lived more than 

 a year. The one shown in fig. 381, was nearly 4 years old when the 

 photograph was taken. Pearson, in 1910, germinated seeds collect- 

 ed in 1907, and estimated to be at least one year old at that time. 



In comparing the floral diagram with that of the staminate flower 

 it is evident that it not only lacks any stamens, but there are only 



d 



c 



jT 



A 



-_^ 



Fig. 374. — W dwilschia mirahilis: yl, floral diagram of staminate flower: .r, <7, axis of 

 strobilus; g, nucellus of sterile ovule;/, integument; e, cycle of stamens; d, inner bract 

 of perianth; c, outer bract of perianth; h, bract in the axil of which the flower stands. 

 B, floral diagram of ovulate flower: h, embryo sac; other lettering as in A. — After Pear- 

 son. •••'^ 



two bracts in the perianth. The two broad bracts, which are so con- 

 spicuous in the male, are lacking; but the two bracts at the ends, 

 which are comparatively inconspicuous in the male, are developed 

 into broad, thin wings (fig. 374). 



The floral development throughout is acropetal. The perianth 

 first appears as a ring at the base of the nucellus, but soon grows 



