PRINCIPAL GROUPS OF PLANTS. 



105 



consisting of microsporophylls (stamens) are more or less elon- 

 gated and cylindrical or ovoid (Fig. 69, A). The carpellate 

 cones consisting of megasporophylls (carpels) have a shorter 

 longitudinal axis, and the cones vary considerably in the different 

 groups (Fig. 72). 



The Microsporophylls (Fig. 69) are usually of a yellowish- 

 brown color, and consist of a slender stalk and a lamina which 

 bears the microsporangia (pollen sacs) on the lower or dorsal 

 surface (Fig. 69, B, C). In this they show a resemblance to 



