OEGANS OF EEPEODrCTION. 311 



When a capsule consists of tliree or more cells, which sepa- 

 rate from the axis, and burst with elasticity (cocci), as in Ricinus 

 {fig. 661), Euphorbia, and Hura crepitans {fig. 695), it has 

 been termed a Regma. 



When a fruit resembles the ordinary capsule in every respect, 

 except that it is inferior, as in the species of Iris {fig. 696) and 

 Ca/n^anula {figs. 673 and 674), it has received the name of 

 Biplotcgia. (See Diplotegia, p. 313.) In the characters of the 

 Natm'al Orders we shall describe such a fruit as capsular. 



2. The Siliqua is a superior, one or two-celled, many-seeded, 

 long narrow fruit, dehiscing by two valves separating from below 

 upwards, and leaving the seeds attached to two parietal placentas, 

 which are commonly connected together by a spurious vertical 

 dissepiment, called a rephcm {fig. 668). The placentas are 

 opposite to the lobes of the stigma, instead of alternate, as 

 is the case in all fruits which are regular in structure. When 

 the replum extends entirely across the cavity, the fruit is two- 

 celled ; if only partially, it is one-celled. Examples of this fruit 

 occur in the Wallflower {fig. 668), Stock, Cabbage, and many 

 other of the Cruciferae. When a fruit possesses the general 

 characters of the siliqua, but with the lobes of 

 the stigma alternate to instead of opposite the 

 placentas, as in Chelidoniian {fig. 669), it has 

 been named a Ceratium or a siliqucpform capsule. 



The siliqua is sometimes contracted in the 

 spaces between each seed, like the lomentum, in 

 which case it is indehiscent, as in Raphanus sa- 

 tivus. This is called a Lomentaceous siliqna. 



3. T7ie Silicula. — This fruit resembles the siliqua 

 in every respect, except its length ; and in usually 

 containing fewer seeds than it. Thus the siliqua 

 may be described as long and narrow — the silicula, Fig, 697. Siiiruia 

 as broad and short. Examples occur in the Shep- of Shepiierd's 

 herd's Purse {fig. 697), and Scurvy-grass. ""^'^ ''^"^^ 



The siliqua and silicula are only found in plants of the order 

 Cruciferge. Both fruits are occasionally one- seeded, and inde- 

 hiscent. 



C. "WITH A FLESHY INDEHISCENT PERICARP. 



1. The Hesperidium is a superior, many-celled, few-seeded, inde- 

 hiscent fruit, consisting of a separable pericarp, formed of the epi- 

 carp and mesocarp combined together {fig. 698, pe), and having an 

 endocarpcZ projecting internally in the form of membranous par- 

 titions, which divide the pulp into a number of portions or cells, 

 which are easily separated from each other. This pulp, as already 

 noticed, is either a development of succulent parenchyma from 

 the inner lining of the ovary generally, or from the placentas 

 only. The seeds, s, s, are imbedded in the pulp, and attached to 



