246 SOUTH AFRICAN FLOWERING PLANTS. 



it {i.e. on the side next the middle or axis). This scale 

 is so called because it has two ovules at the base (V.) ; 

 but it is never closed over the ovules as a pea-pod is, 

 but always flat, so that the ovules are exposed. They 

 hang downwards, but have very large openings; called 

 the microjjyle, a word meaning " little gate," so that 

 pollen grains fall down between the scales and alight 

 upon these orifices, where they are retained by a gummy 

 juice exuded by the ovules. These thus become fertilized 

 without the aid of stigma and style as in all angiosperms. 

 (V.) represents one of the scales with the two ovules 

 at the base. 



When the catkin becomes a cone, the rule is for the 

 bract to disappear ; while the ovuliferous scale grows 

 very long and its tip swells into a four-sided knob as 

 shown in (VL). The two ovules at the same time 

 (now concealed by the hardened scales being pressed 

 together during growth) increase in size, usually 

 developing their wings, which some think are out- 

 growths from the surface of the ovules ; but others say 

 that they are formed from the inner surface of the 

 scale. 



When the seeds are quite ripe, the elongated, rigid, 

 and now woody scales separate again, and by so 

 doing somewhat abruptly, on a hot day, jerk the seeds 

 out ; their wings now are of use, for a breeze will send 

 them off whirling away to a distance. When they fall, 

 the wing becomes detached from the seed, which then 



