receives a bundle-supply to form the characteristic crested 'cone-scale' region, the 

 edges of contact being similarly sealed by interlocking papillae. The whole of 

 the growth building the fruiting cone, by carrying up these parts and the original floral 

 scales, is an intercalary basal extension and so far a new formation. 



The crested growth attains greater prominence and elaboration in other 

 Taxodineae (Sequoia, Sciadopitys], arising as a low ridge beyond the sorus of ovules 

 (Sequoia gigantea], and ultimately presents a crenulated and frilled margin closely 

 adherent to the scale above, following the scale contour, but more restricted to 

 the distal region as the intercalated basal growth is more extensive ; in its early 

 formation close to the ovules suggesting precocity in production rather than a new 

 departure beyond the condition of the Cupressineae. This is the more emphasized as 

 considerable basal intercalation admits partial inversion of the ovules before pollination 

 (Sequoia), and prepares the way for complete inversion after pollination. The 

 characteristic construction of the Araucarineae remains at this level ; and in Dammara 

 the sealing growth has been termed a ' ligule ' from its small dimensions, maintained 

 into the adult cone in which it merely blocks the angle between the primary scales, 

 and plays but a small part in the formation of the scale-facet (Dammara), ' fused ' 

 up in Agathis australis, a broad scale in Araucaria Bidwilli, and a mere relic 

 in A. imbricaia. 



The continued precocity of such a formation is exhibited in simpler Abietineae 

 (Abies, Pseudotsuga), and may be readily followed in Larix (April). In these forms 

 a scale-growth of the crested Cupressus-t\pe is associated with an ovule already 

 inverted ; being more massive it has a distinct bundle-supply, and appears at first 

 sight as an extension of the chalazal end of the ovule. Extension of the scale follows 

 rapidly after pollination, and the growth is packed to fill the interstices between the 

 bract-scales, all chinks being filled with hairs in a manner very exceptional for 

 Conifers. The bundle-supply of the cone-scale again shows inverse orientation 

 (in longitudinal section appearing to be taken off from down the axis instead of from 

 below). 



In other advanced types of the Abietineae, Cedrus shows the more massive cone- 

 scale dominant at pollination, and the bract-scale so reduced and vestigial that 

 the main bundle-supply passes direct to the cone-scale, which is sharply bent to 

 overlap succeeding members. Ovule and bract-scale henceforward become minor 

 structures as compared with the great development of the cone-scale region. 



Similar sealing-papillae are well developed (200 fji) in patches at the margins of 

 the cone-scales of Sequoia gigantea (green cone), and the scales show fine sclerites. 

 In the simpler Abietineae sealing-papillae are often less effective ; the greater part of 

 the cone-scale surface is utilized for the formation of seed-wing areas, leaving only 

 a narrow margin for adhesions (Cedrus), practically negligible in Larix. The same 

 holds for cases in which the foliaceous bract-scale protrudes (Abies) ; the succulent 

 scales of the green cones maintaining close contact by turgidity of their tissues 

 (A. nobilis}. On the other hand papillose areas are well developed in Pseudotsuga, 

 and also behind the ends of the scales in Picea excelsa. 



The case of Pinus* only expresses the last terms of such elaboration and 

 precocity : the cone-scale growth appears as a protuberance at the axil of the primary 

 bract-scale when in the most rudimentary phase (T-bud unexpanded, April); that is 

 to say, it is now initialed simultaneously with the first modelling of the two lateral 

 ovules. Further details are readily followed in flowering shoots of P. sylvestris 

 (April-June). Flower-buds still enclosed in protective scales, cut in March, show 

 axillary growths subtended by the feebly developed bract-scales, but with little 

 distinction of form. By the middle of April the bract-scales are well-defined growths 

 sharply bent upwards and overlapping, as the flower-buds begin to appear on the 

 expanding shoot-systems ; by the end of the month the axillary growths differentiate 

 into lateral protuberances (ovules) and a median spinous protuberance (the first 

 indication of the cone-scale). The bract-scale has a well-marked primary bundle, 

 and the axillary growths, so far without any vascular tissue, pack the interstices of the 

 erected bracts. As the ovules differentiate integument and micropyle, the cone-scale 



1 Complex academic interpretations of morphology only irritate the beginner. It is better to 

 obtain a clear idea of what actually happens in the growth of the cone and draw one's own 

 conclusions. 



