Light micrograph of a vertical section through an immature female pine cone, Pinus sp.. The female cone is an ovoid body composed of outgrowths arranged spirally around a vertical axis. Each outgrowth is composed of two scales; a flattened, leathery bract scale growing from the central axis and a thicker, woody ovuliferous scale growing from its upper surface. The two structures are easiest to distinguish on the lower outgrowth in this image. The pinkish region forming the inner end of the ovuliferous scale & containing a crescent-shaped cavity is an ovule or female gamete. Magnification: x30 at 6x4.5cm size.