740 



CCXXIIi. CONIFEE^. 



long sTispensor formed of a skein of filaments ; cotyledons 2 or several-whorled (or, 

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

 in germination ; radicle superior or inferior. 



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

 originally several embryos (all abortive but one, v^hich 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 Oycadea (the flowers of which are 

 equally reduced to naked ovules) an isolated group in the Vegetable Kingdom [knovrai as Gymnospeiins]. 

 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 Ephedra and Equisetum, CycadecB and 

 FiKces, &c. 



Pinus sylvestris. 



Pine. Seed-scale. 

 M. micropyle. 

 ch. cbalaza. 



