PINE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS 145 



REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS 



It has been above noted (p. 134) that at the apex of the 

 ordinary vegetative branch in spring there is an apical bud 

 surrounded by a number of lateral buds, all of which normally 

 develop into vegetative axes of the type above described. The 

 reproductive organs of Pinus are produced on buds corre- 

 sponding in position to these : they are easily distinguishable, 

 even at an early stage of development, with the naked eye, as 

 male and female, which are borne on separate axes (declinous), 

 but may be upon the same tree (dioecious). The following 

 observations should be made upon specimens preserved in 

 alcohol, otherwise they could only be made at intervals, ac- 

 cording to the period of development of the organs in question. 



A. Male inflorescence. Note that the inflorescence while 

 young appears as a bud covered with brown scale-leaves, in 

 the axils of which are lateral axes easily seen on removing the 

 scales. Of these lateral axes 



a. Those nearest the apex of the bud develop as lateral 

 foliage-shoots, as is the case on the ordinary vegetative 

 axis. 



b. Below these, a number bear, in place of the two foliage- 

 leaves, numerous staminal leaves : to each one of these axes 

 the term flower may be applied. 



I. Separate a single male flower, and cut it longitudinally in 

 a median plane : it will be found to consist of 



1. An axis, which bears 



2. At the base of it several small scale-leaves. 



3. A number of staminal leaves are inserted above. 

 Detach some of these staminal leaves with a needle : each 



consists of 



L 



