346 



FEMALE CONES 



largements, between the cuticle and the inner layer of the 

 membrane ; these contain water, which subsequently evaporates, 

 thus leaving two bladders which act as wings (Fig. 204, A, w.). 

 The ovules (megasporangia) of the Yew (Taxus) usually occur 

 singly within small buds, which arise in the axils of the leaves 

 and are generally spoken of as female cones ; they closely re- 

 semble the ordinary vegetative buds. Each such cone bears 

 several minute scales, the single ovule occupying a terminal 

 position with the micropyle facing outwards. The ovule is 

 peculiar in possessing, apart from the usual integument, a second 



e. 



FIG. 201. The Yew (Taxus baccata). a, branch bearing two ripe seeds ; 

 b, a ripe seed in longitudinal section, showing the aril (ar.) ; c, single 

 male cone, enlarged ; d, single microsporophyll ; e, branch with male 

 cones, (d after Eichler ; the rest original.) 



protective 'covering termed the aril, which remains inconspicuous 

 till after fertilisation. It then develops into a bright-coloured 

 fleshy cup investing the seed (Fig. 201, a, b). 



In most Conifers, however, more or less numerous ovules 

 are found within each of the female cones, and these in the Monkey 

 Puzzles (Araucaria), for instance, may attain considerable dimen- 

 sions. The cones themselves occupy diverse positions. Thus, in 

 the Scotch Fir (Fig. 200, on the left) they first appear as small 

 reddish structures, situated at the ends of short stalks, just 

 beneath the apical bud of the current year's growth. In the 

 Larch, where they are larger and of a bright crimson colour, 

 they terminate some of the dwarf-shoots, with a rosette of greea 



