OVULJFEROUS FLOWERS. 



39 



the chief deviation occurs in the anthers, from the prolonged connective 

 of which hang three to six pollen-sacs instead of two, the number 

 common throughout the Abietinese, and on the scale of the semini- 

 ferous cone the ovule is solitary instead of being in pairs. In 



Fig. 25. Tsuga Br,unoniana, 1, Staminate. 2, Ovuliferous flower, nat. size. 3, side 4, front view of 



stamens before dehiscence ; 5 and 6, after dehiscence x 10 ; 7, pollen grains x 120 ; 



8, back 9, front view of bract and scale of ovuliferous flower x 5. 



Cmminghamia the scale of the seminiferous cone bears three ovules. 

 In the Taxodinese and Cupressinese, whilst the staminate flowers are 

 constructed on the same general plan as in the Abietinese, the number 

 of ovules 011 each scale of the seminiferous cones varies in the 



different genera from 

 three to nine ; they are, 

 moreover, erect, that is 

 to say, the micropyle 

 through which the pollen 

 tubes enter, is at the 

 top. In the Cupres- 

 sinese the anthers of 

 the staminate flowers, 

 and the ovuliferous 

 scales are, like the adult 

 foliage leaves, in decus- 

 sate pairs, the only 

 exception occurring in 



, connective; B, three anther cells ; c, filament. 5, Pollen grains. JuiliperilS ill which the 

 (i, A pollen grain as .seen when placed in water; ft, the empty , \ . , ,., 



extine of the bursted pollen grain ; &, the swollen contents of the SeeCl-bearillg Scales like 



the acicular adult leaves 

 are in whorls of three. 

 Those who have studied Botany and are acquainted with the 

 transformations which the foliar structures of flowering plants undergo 

 from the seed-leaves (cotyledons) through the various stages of 

 stipules, foliage leaves, bracts, sepals, petals, stamens and carpels 

 ^seed-bearers) the last named being regarded as the highest state of 



Fig. -2(>. 1, Staminate flower of Sequoia Wdlingtonia. 2, Stamen 

 attached to axis, side view. 3. The same, dorsal 4, ventral view ; 



.same. 1, Xat. size; 2, A and 4 magnified five diameters; 5 and C, 

 ^40 diameters. 



