II.] 



CONIFERS. 



245 



flowering cone across the middle, when some of them are 

 sure to be exposed. 



Some botanists are of opinion that the scales to which 

 the ovules are attached are open carpellary leaves ; others 



FIG. 186. Staminal scale of 

 Scotch Fir. 



FIG. 187. Scale of Scotch Fir- 

 bearing ovules. 



hold that the cellular investment of the nucleus of the 

 ovule is carpellary. The question of the homology of 

 these organs does not at present concern us. In any 



FIG. 188. Scale of ripe cone, bearing two winged seeds. 



case, the apex of the ovules is naked, so that the pollen- 

 grains fall directly upon it : hence the term gymno- 

 spermous applied to the Family, in contradistinction to 



