252 PRACTICAL BOTANY 



REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS 



It has been above noted (p. 231) that at the apex of 

 the ordinary vegetative branch in spring there is an 

 apical bud surrounded by a number of lateral buds, all 

 of which normally develop into vegetative axes of 

 the type above described. The reproductive organs of 

 Pinus are produced on buds corresponding in position 

 to these : they are easily recognized, even at an early 

 stage of development, with the naked eye. 



The following observations should be made upon specimens 

 preserved in alcohol, otherwise they could only be made at 

 intervals, according to the period of development of the organs in 

 question. 



A. Male inflorescence. Note that the inflores- 

 cence while young appears as a bud covered with brown 

 scale-leaves, in the axils of which are lateral axes 



easily seen on removing the scales. Of these lateral 

 axes 



a. Those nearest the apex of the bud develop as 

 lateral foliage-shoots, as is the case on the ordinary 

 vegetative axis. 



b. Below these, a number bear, in place of the two 

 foliage-leaves, numerous staminal leaves : to each one 

 of these axes the term flower may be applied. 



Comparing the male inflorescence with the ordinary 

 vegetative axis, the main difference lies in the mode of 



