CHRISTMAS TREES 



317 



appearance (Fig. 36). The cones of the silver fir 

 (5 to 6 inches long and 2 inches thick) are set 

 upright on the branches, and when they have shed the 

 seeds the scales fall off rapidly and leave the axis bare, 



ovs. 



ovs 



ovs 



FIG. 36. a, Structure of the female cone of the Silver Fir. A single 

 cone-scale, OVS, with its reflected and pointed "bract," br, seen 

 from the outer surface ; st, stalk. 



b, The same seen from the inner surface ; letters as before, and in addition 



OV, one of the pair of naked seeds ; W, its wing. 



c, The same in section, showing well the reflected or turned-over spine- 



like end of the bract ; letters as before. 



d, One of the winged seeds detached. 



whilst the cones of the spruce (about an inch shorter) 

 are pendulous (Fig. 37), and their scales remain in position 

 after the seed is shed. 



There are many " spruces," other species of the genus 

 Picea, from various parts of Europe, temperate Asia, 



