264 



GTMNOSPEEMJi. 



The male flowers are long, and catkin-like, with numerous stamens, 

 each bearing two oblong pollen-sacs. The pollen-grains are most 

 frequently tri-lobed, having two bladder-like appendages, formed 

 as outgrowths of the exospore, to assist in their distribution by the 

 wind (Fig. 267 N~). The bracts are arranged spirally. The union 

 between the bract and the ovuliferous scale, which is found in the 

 preceding order, is not in this instance so complete ; these scales 

 make their appearance as two free parts, and are attached only 

 at their bases (Fig. 268) ; the lower portion, that is the cover- 

 scale, in most instances remains quite small (Fir, Red Pine, and 

 others), it is only in the "Noble Pine " (Abies) and Pseudotsuga 



FIG. 207. A-G Pseudotsuga douglasii : A cone, B cone-scale, with the inner side 

 turned forward ; the points of the cover-scale are seen behind it; C-G transitions from 

 the acicular leaf to the cover scale, from the base of a? cone. If Pinus montana. Young 

 ovuliferous scale, with the inner side turned forward ; the ovules are now in the stage for 

 pollination. J-M Abies alba : J male cone ; b bud-scale ; a anthers K LM individual 

 anthers. Pinus montana: N pollen-grain; the two lateral expansions are the aii- 

 bladders ; in the upper part of the interior of the grain a vegetative cell may be seen, 

 and in the centre the large cell-nucleus. 



m, that it attains a greater length than the ovuliferous 

 scale (Fig. 267, B-G). On the other hand the upper part, the 

 ovuliferous scale (the vascular bundles of which have the bast 

 turned upwards), grows strongly and elongates, especially after 

 fertilisation, becoming woody or leathery ; it is commonly termed 

 the " cone-scale" but is in reality only homologous with a part of 



