124 



THE OAK. 



teeth of which project some distance up and surround a 

 trifid stigma (Figs. 33 and 34, 6-). One of the lobes of 

 the perigone will be found opposite to the bract ; the 

 three lobes of the stigma are superposed on three alter- 

 nate (outer) lobes of the perigone. 



FIG. 32. A, Flowering twig and inflorescences, male ( t ), and female ( 5 ), 

 semi-diagrammatic. B, Diagram of plan of a similar but lateral twig. 

 F. Leaf from axil of which the twig arises : x, parent stem ; a and /3, 

 bracts. The numbers 1-11 denote pairs of stipules acting as bud- 

 scales, some with male inflorescences (j) springing from between 

 them; the continued numbers 12-21 also denote pairs of stipules, but 

 these have their accompanying leaves, with or without female inflo- 

 rescences ( 9 ) in the axils. (Eichler.) 



There is yet a further covering to the female flower. 

 The somewhat irregular margins of a minute cup-like 

 investment are to be seen arising from beneath and 

 around the perigone : this is the scaly cupula, the future 

 "cup" in which the "acorn" is inserted (Fig. 34, m). 

 If the young female flower is carefully bisected longi- 



