202 



FRUIT. 



and form four distinct cells. The partitions sometimes 

 arise from the margin of the valves, sometimes from 

 the inner surface, sometimes from the central column, 

 and sometimes they are formed by the inflection of the 

 borders of the valves. 



When the cell or the seed vessel contains one seed, 

 it is monospermous ; if two, it is dispermous ; if many, 

 it ispolyspermous. 



The following are the most important varieties of the 

 pericarp. 



Capsule, Fig. 89 This is a dry membranaceous or 

 woody seed vessel, usually separating when ripe into a 

 determinate number of valves. The Iris furnishes an 

 example. The peculiar capsule of the Ash and Ma- 

 ple, Fig. 90, which is winged, but destitute of valves, 

 is denominated by Gaertner, Samara ; and the capsule 

 of the Silk-weeds having one cell and a solitary valve, 

 is -denominated follicle ; both terms however are con- 

 sidered unnecessary. 



Silique, Fig. 97. This is a long dry seed vessel, form- 

 ed of two valves separated by an intervening mem- 

 branous partition, to which the seeds are attached, as 

 in cruciform flowers. When the silique is very short, 

 as in Shepherd's-purse, Fig. 15, it is denominated si- 

 licle. 



Legume, Fig. 99. This is composed of two oblong 

 valves without any intervening partition, and its seeds 

 are usually attached to one of its margins, as in the 

 common Pea. In the Tamarind it is filled with pulp, 

 in which the seeds are enveloped. When a legume is 

 internally divided by several transverse partitions into 

 cells, and has valves which do not finally separate, as 

 in Hedysarum, it is denominated a Loment. But many 

 writers do not employ the latter term. 



