OEGANS OF REPRODUCTION. 



299 



to one another and to the axis, which in this case is generally 

 more or less prolonged {figs. 663 and 664). Here each valve is 

 composed of the two halves of adjoining ovaries. This form 

 of dehiscence may be seen in the Datura {fig. 665), and Cedrela 

 {fig. 663). The placentas bearing the seeds are here attached 

 to the axis between the dissepiments {fig. 663, a). 



Fig. 663. Fig. QU. 



Fig. 663. Capsule of Cedrela anguatifolia, 

 showing septifragal dehiscence, v, 

 V, V. Valves, a. Axis bearing the 



dissepiments, c, c, and seeds, g. 



Fig. 664. Diagram illustrating sep- 

 tifragal dehiscence. 



In compound fruits with one cell having parietal or free central 

 placentation, we have two forms of dehiscence ; these are analo- 

 gous to the ordinary septicidal and loculicidal kinds just de- 

 scribed. Thus in com- 

 pound fruits with parietal -F^Q' ^^^' 

 placentation, the dehis- 

 cence may take place : 

 either through the con- 

 fluent margins or sutures 

 of the adjoining ovaries 

 or carpels, so that each 

 placenta is di%4ded into 

 its two lamellae, as in 

 the Gentian {fig. 6^6), 

 in which case the dehis- 

 cence is analogous to the 

 septicidal form, and each 

 valve, therefore, repre- 

 sents one of the compo- 

 nent ovaries or carpels 

 of the fruit; or the de- 

 hiscence may take place 

 through the dorsal su- 

 tures, as in the Heart's- 

 ease {fig. 667), in which 

 case it is analogous to 

 the loculicidal dehis- 

 cence, and each valve is composed of the adjoining halves of 

 two ovaries or carpels. These forms may be readily distin- 



Fig. 665. Capsule of Datura Stramonium, 

 showing septifragal dehiscence. 



