106 



MORPHOLOGY OF SPERMATOPHYTES 



and Ginkgo ; while in Taxus, Dacrydium, and Microcachrys the 

 hard coat is surrounded by a fleshy aril. The dry seeds are also 

 frequently winged, either by an outgrowth from the testa or by 

 flakes split from the ovuliferous scales. 



Changes following fertilization also occur beyond the bound- 

 aries of the seed, and result in a more or less definite fruit. 



FIG. 81. Araucaria Brasiliana : A, a proembryo filling the entire oospore, only the 

 shaded cells belonging to the embryo proper, the wedge-shaped mass of cells 

 below being the embryo cap : B, a later stage, showing the embryo cap thrust 

 aside ; x 153. After STRASBURGER. 



The bracts or scales, or both, are affected, enlarging more or less 

 extensively, and becoming either woody, as in Abieteae, or 

 fleshy, as in Juniperus', while in Podocarpus sometimes the 

 whole strobilus becomes fleshy. 



V. THE CLASSIFICATION OF CONIFERS 



Our knowledge of the morphology and history of Conifers is 

 not sufficient to justify much certainty as to their classification. 

 Probably the scheme proposed by Eichler and Engler in Engler 

 and Prantl's " Natiirlichen Pflanzenfamilien " is the best expres- 

 sion of our present knowledge, at least it seems best adapted to 

 the purpose of this book. There is general agreement that 



