PHANEROGAMIA 



639 



portion of the septum ; this separates from the rest of the septum and 

 bears the mericarps hanging from its upper forked end (Figs. 699-706). 



For systematic purposes the fruits are of great importance. Each half of the 

 fruit has five ribs, beneath which the vascular bundles lie. The marginal ribs of 

 each partial fruit frequently lie close together at the septum or they may be 

 distinct ; they may resemble the three dorsal ribs or differ more or less from them. 

 Between the five primary ribs four secondary ribs are sometimes present. Usually 

 furrows (valleculse) occur between the ridges, and beneath each furrow a large oil 

 duct (vitta) is found, extending the whole length of the fruit. On either side of 



Flo. 703. Slum latifolium (J nat. size). Poisonous. 



the carpophore a similar oil duct is present in the septum, so that each mericarn 

 has six of these vittse (Fig. 700). In some species additional small ducts are 

 present. The form of the fruit as seen in a cross section differs according to 

 whether the diameter is greater in the plane of the septum or at right angles to 

 this. The character of the marginal and dorsal ridges and the presence or 

 absence of secondary ridges or vittae serve to distinguish the fruits, and are 

 indispensable aids in determining the species. Since many of the fruits are 

 employed in medicine or as spices, while others are poisonous, their distinction 

 becomes a matter of importance. The endosperm of the seeds contains a fatty oil 

 as reserve material. 



The most recent revision of the family is by Drude in En<*ler-Prantl Nat 

 /;//"// :cnfam. ; an older useful division is founded on the shape of the endosperm. 



1. Orthospermae.The endosperm flat or; slightly convex on the^ventral side 



