FRUIT. 



[chap. 



flowers, each flower consisting of a perianth of four leaves 

 in two pairs, enclosing the pistil, which is superior, and 

 crowned by a bifid stigma. Now, as the pistil ripens and 

 the seeds mature, the persistent perianth-leaves become very 

 succulent and juicy ; and it is to these organs, thus altered 

 in texture, that the Mulberry owes such value as it possesses 

 as an eatable fruit. The Mulberry, therefore, differs from 

 all the so-called berries which we have examined as yet, in 



Fig. 8i. Jack-fruit 

 (.4 rtflcarpHS integrifolin). 



Fig. Zt. Fruit of Fig {Ficus Carica) in 

 venical section. Staminate and pistillate 

 flowers are shown separately. 



tlie circumstance that it results, not from a single flower, 

 but from a number of flowers. On this ground it may be 

 distinguished as a collective fruit. All fruits which result 

 from more flowers than one are called collective fruits. 

 We have examples in the cones of the Pine and Deodar, 

 in the Pineapple, the Jack-fruit, and the fruit of the Fie. 



