740 



CCXXIII. CONIFERS. 



long suspensor formed of a skein of filaments ; cotyledons 2 or several- vvhorled (or, 

 according to Duchartre, 2, each many-partite and opposite), epigeous or hypogeous 

 in germination ; radicle superior or inferior. 



Conifera, so remarkable for the exceptional structure of their woody fibres, for their seed containing 

 originally several embryos (all abortive but one, which has often several cotyledons), and for the long 

 interval between the fertilization of the ovules and the ripening of the seeds, are distinctly characterized 

 by the extreme simplicity of their reproductive organs, and form with Cycadece (the flowers of which are 

 equally reduced to naked ovules) an isolated group in the Vegetable Kingdom [known as Gymnosperms], 

 They might be considered as intermediate between Phcenogams and Cryptogams, if a few external resem- 

 blances only were noted, such as those which exist between Ephcdra and Eqmsetum, Cycadca and 

 Pilices, &c. 



Pine. V flower 

 and outer bract (mag.)- 



Pinus tylcestrit. 



Pinia sylvestris. 

 Bipe cone. 



r _M 



Pine. Seed-scale. 

 M. micropyle. 

 ch. cbalaza. 



