ORGANS OP REPRODUCTIOX. 



31' 



The term aggregate is by some botanists applied to fruits which 

 are the produce of several flowers. 



c. Stxcarpous Fruits. — Under this head we include all fruits 

 tvhich are formed by the more or less complete combination of two 

 or more carpels, and only one of which is produced by a single 

 flower. In the tAvo former classes the fruits are formed of simple 

 ovaries; in this from those of a more or less compound nature. 

 In describing these fruits we shall follow generally the classifi- 

 cation of Dr. Lindley. Thus in the first place, we divide them 

 into two divisions according as they are superior or inferior ; 

 and each of these divisions is again divided into others, derived 

 from the dry or fleshy nature of their pericarp, and their de- 

 hiscent or indehiscent character. 



Division 1. Superior Syncarpous Fruits. 



a. "WITH A DRY INDEHISCENy PERICARP. 



1. The Caryopsis is a superior, one-celled, one-seeded, inde- 

 hiscent fruit, with a thin dry membranous pericarp completely 

 and inseparably united with the seed (figs. 686 and 687). This 

 resembles the achtenium, but it is distinguished by the com- 

 plete union which exists between the pericarp and the seed. 

 It is, moreover, generally considered as being of a compound 

 nature, from the presence of two or more styles and stigmas to 



Fig. 686. 



Fig. 687. 



Fig. 688. 



mule. r. Radicle Fig. 



Fig. 686. Caryopsis or fruit of the Oat. 

 Fig. 687. The same cut verti- 

 cally, o. Pericarp, t. Testa or in- 

 teguments of the seed, fl. Albumen, 

 c. Cot>ledon. g. Gemmule or plu- 

 Samara or fruit of the Maple {Acer). 



the ovary (fig. 586). It is found in the Oat, Maize, Eye, 

 Wheat, Barley, and generally in Grasses. These finiits, like the 

 achsenia, are commonly called seeds, but their true nature is at 

 once evident when they are examined in their early state. 



