134 NATURE STUDY 



and poppy, as seen in other lessons. The pine and all cone- 

 bearing plants have their ovules lying exposed on the scales of 

 the cone. However, after fertilization of the ovules the scales grow 

 60 that they are crowded tightly together and thus remain until the 

 seeds are ripe and ready for distribution. In this way they are 

 well protected. The seeds are in some pines two years in ripen- 

 ing. The pupils may determine this point for the conifers to 

 which they have access. 



