1. Stem growing through the female flower, covered with the remains of the old leaves. Leaf-segments one-nerved, coiled in bud. Carpels pinnately toothed or cleft, each with 4-8 ascending ovules.--Species 2, one growing wild in Madagascar and the neighbouring islands, the other cultivated and sometimes naturalized in various parts of Africa. Used as ornamental and medicinal plants; the fruits are edible and the pith contains starch (sago). [Tribe CYCADEAE.] =Cycas= L. Stem not growing through the female flower. Leaf-segments with several nerves, straight in bud. Carpels each with 2 descending ovules. [Tribe ZAMIEAE.] 2 2. Leaf-segments with pinnate nerves. Stem without remains of old leaves at the base. Cone-scales (stamens and carpels) imbricate.--Species 2. South-east Africa (Natal). Used as ornamental plants. =Stangeria= Th. Moore Leaf-segments with parallel nerves. Stem covered with the remains of old leaves. Cone-scales not imbricate.--Species 20. South and Central Africa. The pith (Kaffir-bread) and the seeds of some species are eaten and also used for making a sort of beer. Several species yield gum or serve as ornamental plants. (Plate 1.) =Encephalartos= Lehm. CLASS II. CONIFERAE FAMILY 2. TAXACEAE Stem branched, woody, with resinous juice. Leaves alternate, linear or linear-lanceolate. Flowers solitary or the male umbellate, dioecious, without a perianth. Stamens with 2-9 pollen-sacs. Carpels free, one-ovuled, shorter than the seeds, sometimes rudimentary. Seeds 1-2, drupe-like, surrounded by a fleshy aril. Embryo with 2 or more free cotyledons.--Genera 2, species 9. (Under _CONIFERAE_.) Stamens with 2 pollen-sacs and a triangular blade. Pollen-grains with air-bladders. Carpels distinctly developed. Ovule inverted, with two coats. Aril enveloping the seed. Leaves with resin-ducts.--Species 8. South and East Africa, Madagascar, Island of St. Thomas. They yield timber and bark for tanning. (Including _Nageia_ Gaertn.) [Subfamily =PODOCARPOIDEAE=.] =Podocarpus= L’ Hér. Stamens with 5-9 pollen-sacs and a peltate blade. Pollen-grains without air-bladders. Carpels rudimentary. Ovule straight, with one coat. Aril cup-shaped. Leaves without resin-ducts.--Species 1. North-west Africa. A poisonous, medicinal and ornamental plant, with hard wood. “Yew.” [Subfamily =TAXOIDEAE=]. =Taxus= L. FAMILY 3. PINACEAE Stem branched, woody, with resinous juice. Leaves needle-or scale-like. Flowers unisexual, without a perianth. Stamens in catkins, with 2-5 pollen-sacs below the scale-like limb. Carpels arranged in the shape of a cone or bud, leathery woody or fleshy, when ripe. Ovules 2 or more to each carpel, rarely only 1. Seeds hidden by the carpels, without an aril. Embryo with 2 or more free cotyledons.--Genera 6, species 25. (Under _CONIFERAE_.) (Plate 2.)