PLANT D-EVELOPMENT CONTINUED. 



47 



monceclous, and in cones on branching stems nearly a foot in length ; 

 the cones ripen into a fine crimson color. The male cones are half an 

 inch long ; the female two to three inches. 



Fig. 49. — Welwitschia mirahilis. Plant entire, with a branch of fertile 

 cones removed from the rim. 



80. Thus far, throughout both Cryptogamia and Gym- 

 nosperms, the male and female flowers are diclinous, and 

 dioecious or monoecious. The Welwitschia flowers are mo- 

 noecious ; but the male flower shows a curious prophecy — 

 or is it a degradation ? — of the monoelinous flower which is 

 found only among Angiosperms. The male flower (Fig. 

 50, A, B) has an involucre of four bracts, in two whorls, 

 two bracts in each whorl ; six stamens with filaments 

 united below into a tube. This tube sur- 

 rounds an ovule, of which the testa is pro- 



FiG. 50. — A, Male fi. of Welwitschia, showing involucre of 4 bracts; 6 stamens 

 with filaments united into a tube; around an abortive ovule, which has its 

 tegmen prolonged, resembling a true pistil. B, same, involucre removed, and 

 staminal tube divided. C, fertile ovule, with its winged sheath. 



longed, resembling an ovary with style and stigma; but 



