262 



GYMNOSPEms. 



264). The short male flowers have 5-8 pollen-sacs, pendent from 

 the stamens, and are surrounded at their bases by scale-like 

 bracteoles (Fig. 243). Torreya (4 species, K America and Japan) 

 is closely allied to Taxus. The aril ultimately fuses with the 

 woody inner integument, and hence the ovule becomes drupaceous, 

 as in Cephalotaxese. 



Fis. 2Gi. Tan-.us Ituccata : A shoot of Taxus with female flowers at the time when tho 

 ovules are ready for pollination. B Leaf with flower in its axil (nat. size). C Longitudinal 

 median section through a female shoot ; i growing point of primary shoot ; a commence- 

 ment of aril; i integument; wnucellus; m micropyle. 



USES. Taxus baccata is usually planted in gardens, especially in hedges. 

 Its wood is very hard and is used for wood-carving. The shoots are poisonous, 

 but not the aril, which is often eaten by children and by birds. 



Family 2. Pinoideae. 



The four orders differ from one another partly in the arrange- 

 ment of tho leaves (Cupressacece have opposite or verticillately 



