73 



Fig. 135. 



Fig. 137. 



PERICARP. 



Silicle, Fig. 135, or Silicula, a little pod. 

 This differs from the proper Siliqua, only in 

 being shorter, and of a rotund or oval shape, 

 as in Satin Flower, (Lunaria.) Shepherd's 

 Purse, (Thlapsi,) is also a good example of 

 the Silicle. 



Legume, Fig. 136, Legumen. This is a spe- 

 cies of pericarp, consisting of two valves, united 

 by sutures, without a dissepiment or partition, 

 and bearing the seeds along only one of its su- 

 tures, or margins. This is also called a pod, 

 and is well known as the seed vessel of the 

 Pea and Bean. Peas and Beans, with their af- 

 finities, or plants of similar habits, are called le- 

 guminous plants. They.compose one of the most 

 extensive tribes, or natural orders known to 

 Botanists, and one of the most useful known to 

 man. The 17th class, (Diadelphia,) of the Lin- 

 naean system is composed chiefly of leguminous 

 plants. 



Bag, Fig. 137, Follicle. This is a seed 

 vessel consisting of only one piece or valve, 

 and is therefore a univalve pericarp. It is not 

 divided into cells internally, but bears its 

 seeds, either on a receptacle which is placed 

 parallel with the suture, or the seeds are affixed 

 to the margin of the suture itself. This peri- 

 carp bursts longitudinally on one side, and 

 emits its seeds in the manner shown in the 

 figure. Ex. Milkweed, (Asclepias,) Peri- 

 winkle, ( Vinca.) 



Drupe, or Drupa, Fig. 138, Stone Fruit. It 

 has a fleshy, or pulpy pericarp, without valves, 

 and which encloses a nut or stone, commonly of 

 an oblong or oval shape, and bony consistence. 

 This stone contains a kernel, which is the 

 proper seed. Ex. Cherry, Plum, Peach. The 

 cocoanut is a drupe, though its coat is less juicy 

 than in most other examples. 



What is a silicic ? How does the silicic differ from the siliqua ? How 

 does the legume differ from the siliqua and silicic ? What are corrrnon 

 examples of the legume ? What arc examples of leguminous plants ? 

 What is a follicle or bag ? What are examples of the follicle ? What 

 are examples of the drupe ? 



