4 DEFINITION OF FRUIT [CH. 



varieties of seedless grapes, bananas, pineapples, &c, 

 testify. 



In many cases the changes in structure brought about 

 are so striking that the walls of the fruit receive special 

 names for their various parts, and fusions of different 

 kinds and degrees occur with other organs. One con- 

 sequence of these changes is a confusion between what 

 is really fruit, and what is merely edible a popular but 

 very erroneous test for a fruit, as may be easily shown by 

 examining an ordinary greengrocer's, seedsman's, or cook's 

 definition of the words " fruit," " seed," and " vegetable." 

 Such authorities would almost invariably call the seed- 

 filled pods of Peas and Beans, and Cucumbers, "vegetables," 

 and mulberries, strawberries, pineapples and figs, fruits ; 

 whereas they would almost certainly regard the little 

 hard bodies in the fig or on the surface of the strawberry 

 as " seeds," and would give the same name to the parts of 

 the Caraway employed in flavouring " seed-cake," or to 

 those parachute-like toys of our childhood. which the wind 

 carries off from the ripe heads of Dandelions and Thistles, 

 though they are fruits ; and seedsmen, gardeners and 

 others habitually regard the fruits of Maize and grasses 

 of all kinds, as well as of Oaks, Beech, Maples, Alders, &c. 

 as " seeds." 



These ideas, and many similar popular errors, however, 

 require careful examination, with due regard to the pro- 

 portion of truth they embody as well as strict criticism of 

 the fallacies they propagate ; and a correct appreciation 

 of the real state of affairs will only be obtained by the 

 student who observes for himself the various stages in the 

 maturation of the fruit as the flower ages. 



Strictly considered the fruit is the ripened carpels with 

 their enclosed seeds; and its purpose after protecting 

 the seeds is frequently extended to disseminating, or 



