GYMN'OSPERMS 



215 



It is evident that the pine-tree, bearing these sporangia, 

 is the sporophyte in the life-history; that is, it is the sex- 

 less generation. The sporophyte has now become so prom- 



FIG. 204. Carpellate cone of pine: A, cone partly sectioned; B, young carpel 

 (sp.orophyll) with two ovules (sporangia) ; C, old carpel with mature seeds. 

 After BESSEY. 



inent that it seems to be the whole plant, and it is interest- 

 ing to know what has become of the gametophytes with 

 their sex-organs. 



124. Gametophytes. As the pine is a heterosporous 

 plant, there are male and female gametophytes. The small 

 spores (pollen grains) germinate and produce very small 

 male gametophytes. As in Selaginella ( 118), only a few 

 cells are formed, and these remain in the pollen grain (Fig. 

 15 



