124 THE OAK 
the male flower. Inthe first place, the ovary is inferior, 
being sunk in and fused into a six-partite perigone, the 
teeth of which project some distance up and surround a 
trifid stigma (figs. 33 and 34, c). One of the lobes of the 
perigone will be found opposite to the bract; the three 
Fig. 32.—A, Flowering twig and inflorescences, male ( 2) 
and female (¢ ), semi-diagrammatic. B. Diagram of plan 
of a similar but lateral twig. F. Leaf from axil of which 
the twig arises: xv, parent stem; aand 8, bracts. The 
numbers 1-11 denote pairs of stipules acting as bud- 
scales, some with male inflorescences ( g) springing trom 
between them ; the continued numbers 12-21 also denote 
pairs of stipules, but these have their accompanying 
leaves, with or without female inflorescences ( ? ) in the 
axils. (Hichler.) 
lobes of the stigma are superposed on three alternate 
(outer) lobes of the perigone. 
There is yet a further covering to the female flower. 
The somewhat irregular margins of a minute cup-like 
investment are to be seen arising from beneath and 
around the perigone: this isthe scaly cupula, the future 
