126 THE OAK 
stigma becomes the three-chambered ovary sunk in the 
perigone. 
The pollination takes place in May-June, and ferti- 
lisation soon afterwards; in July the young acorns cap 
Vig. 34.—Female flower in section. To the left three 
transverse sections through the young ovary; the lower 
one showing the three placentas, each with two ovules. 
To the right, three longitudinal median sections through 
the whole flower at successive periods. a, stigma; 3, 
carpel; c, perianth; d, cavity of ovary with ovules; 
m, the cupule. (Th. Hartig.) 
be made out peeping from the cupules in which thoy had 
hitherto been enclosed. The acorn reaches its full size 
towards the end of September, and ripens and falls in 
October. When ripe the acorn is, as we have seen, an 
