49 

 THE SEED. 



As already stated, the seeds are produced singly, in pairs, or in greater 

 number according to the ovules in each scale, but sometimes fewer 

 by abortion in those species in which the ovules on each scale are 

 more than two (Cupressinete and Taxodineae). They are enclosed in 

 a bony, leathery or membraneous tegument called the testa which 

 in the Abietinea 1 is usually expanded into a membraneous wing. 

 The endosperm enclosing the embryo consists of a farinaceous or 

 fleshy albumen more or less impregnated with resin, but which 

 in the case of a few of the larger seeds of Finns as 



Fig. :>:5. 1, Branchlet of Larch, Larix europcm, with ripe cone. 2, Branchlet of Pinus rigida with ripe cone. 

 3, Ovuliferous flower of Cupi-essus sempervirens. 4, Longitudinal section of the same. 5, Ripe cone of the 

 same, ti, Single carpel of the same with numerous ovules. 7, Fruiting "spur" of Giiikgo Uloba. Figs. 3, 4, 

 and t> enlarged. 



P. pinea, P. edulis, P. Sabiniana is edible and occasionally used for 

 food by the poorer inhabitants of the countries in which these 

 Pines are abundant. 



The seeds vary much in size and shape in the different genera, and 

 even in species included in the same genus. Tims in Pinus they are 

 mostly ovoid or obovoid, with the greater diameter of the smaller seeds* 

 as those of P. Strobus not more than one-fifth of an inch, whilst those 



