STRUCTURE OF THE FRUIT. 



427 



pericarp, seed-capsule, or case. As a rule this structure is known to Botanists as 

 the fruit, though this designation is open to criticism. In the broad sense the fruit 

 in Phanerogams should include everything which undergoes alteration after fertili- 

 zation either in the flower or flowering axis. All these changes take place in the 

 parts in question for the purpose of promoting the interests of the embryo, and 

 properly equipping it when the time comes for its severance from the parent plant, 

 consequently the whole of the structures which participate in this object should be 

 regarded as the fruit. From this point of view the seed-case or pericarp (derived 

 from the pistil) constitutes only a portion of the fruit. Since, however, the seed- 



Fig. 322.— Indehiscent fruits and schizocarps. 



1 Drupaceous Nut of Fumaria. 2 Tlie same in longitudinal section. 3 indehiscent fruit of Callitriche. * The same in longi- 

 tudinal section. « Schizocarp of Foenieulum aromaticum. « Schizocarp of Petroselinum sativum. ? Schizocarp of Carum 

 carvi. All the figs, enlarged. (After Baillon.) 



case in a very large number of cases approximates to and essentially constitutes the 

 whole fruit, we will not press our quarrel with the descriptive botanists to the point 

 of pedantry, but having made our protest fall into line with the usual terminology. 

 Types of Fruit. — When the seed-case derived from the pistil becomes altogether 

 fleshy and succulent, the fruit is termed a Berry. From inferior pistils arise inferior 

 berries. From superior pistils superior berries. The berries of the Bitter-sweet 

 {Solanum Dulcamara), of the Deadly Nightshade {Atropa Belladonna), of the 

 Barberry {Berheris vulgaris), and of the Vine {Vitis vinifera) are superior; those 

 of the Mistletoe {Viscum album), and of the Gooseberry {Rihes Grossularia) are 

 inferior. The berry of the Mezereon {Daphne Mezereum) is also superior, but is 



