GYMNOSPERM.E 



179 



in all parts of the world ; but tlie^' abound most in temperate 

 climates. There are about 250 species. 



Properties and Uses. — They possess verj important proper- 

 ties. Many supply A'aluable timber, and most of the species 

 contain an oleo-resinous juice or turpentine, which is composed 

 of a volatile oil and resm. 



Order 2. Taxace.e , the Yew Order. — C h a r a c t e r. — Trees or 

 shrubs, w^ith continuous branches. Leaves usually narrow, 

 rigid, and veinless ; sometimes broad, with forked veins. 

 Floaters unisexual, naked, bracteate. Male fioicers several 

 together, each with one or several stamens, which, in the latter 

 case, are united or distinct ; anthers bursting longitudinallj'. 

 Female flowers solitary, and consisting of a single erect naked 

 ovule, which is either terminal or placed in the axil of a bract. 

 Seed small, usually more or less surrounded by a cup-shaped 

 fleshy mass or aril, albuminous ; embryo straight. This order 



Fig. 933. 



Fig. 934. 



Fig. 933. Male flower of the 

 Common Yew {Taxus bac- 

 cata), with numerous mo- 



iiadelphous stamens. 



Fi(/. 934. Vertical section 

 of the seed of tlie same. ar. 

 The succulent cup-shaped 

 mass which surroimds the 

 seed. pi. Embryo, alb. Al- 

 bumen. c7i. Ohalaza. mi. 

 Micropyle. 



is noiu frequently included in the ConifercE, forming the tribe 

 or sub-order TaxecB or Taxinece. 



Distribution and Numbers.^- Jsa,tiYes of the mountains of 

 tropical countries, and of temperate regions. Illustrative 

 Genera: — Taxus, Linn.; Salisburia, Smith. There are about 

 50 species. 



Properties and Uses. — In their general properties they re- 

 semble the Conifer 86. 



Orde7- 3. Gnetace^, the Jointed Fir Order. — Character. 

 Small frees or shrubs, with usually jointed stems and branches. 

 Leaves opposite, entire, net- or parallel-veined, or sometimes 

 small and scale-like. Flowers unisexual or rarely hermaphro- 

 dite, in catkins or heads. Male flowers with a 1 -leaved calyx ; 

 anthers 2 — 3-celled, with porous dehiscence. Female flowers 

 naked or surrounded by 2 more or less combined scales ; ovules 



X 2 



