Xll INTRODUCTION. 



barren. The external structure of barren and fertile 

 flowers is often very dissimilar, as in Willow, p. 566 ; 

 and Oak, p. 572. When the ovary is inserted above 

 the base of the perianth, it is said to be superior, as 

 in Crowfoot, p. 8 ; when below, inferior, as in Rose, 

 p. 199. In like manner the perianth is said to be 

 superior or inferior, according as it is inserted above 

 or below the ovary. 



THE FRUIT. As the flower withers, the ovary en- 

 larges and becomes the fruit, that is, the seed, with its 

 case or covering, also called a pericarp, (from peri, 

 around, and carpos, fruit). Among the various forms of 

 fruit, the principal are 



The capsule, (from cdpsula, a little box,) a dry case, 

 either opening by valves, as in Pink, p. 91 ; by teeth, 

 as in Lychnis, p. 95 ; by pores, as in Poppy, p. 28 ; or 

 by splitting all round, as in Pimpernel, p. 516. 



The silique and silicle, described at p. 36. 



The pod, or legume, a long seed-vessel, differing from 

 the silique in having no partition, and bearing the seeds 

 in a single row, as in the Pea and Bean Tribe, p. 139. 



The berry, a juicy or mealy fruit, bearing the seeds 

 immersed in pulp, as in Elder, Currant, &c. 



The nut, a dry fruit, composed of a hard shell, con- 

 taining a seed, as in Hazel, p. 573 ; and Gromwell, 

 p. 432. 



The drupe, a nut enclosed in pulp, as the Plum and 

 Cherry. 



The cone, a collection of imbricated or overlapping 

 scales, each of which covers two seeds, p. 575. 



THE SEED. A seed is said to be dicotyledonous, 

 when it is composed of two lobes, 

 or cotyledons, which enclose the plu- 

 mule, or embryo of the future plant. 

 As the seed germinates, the cotyle- 

 dons either rise above the ground, as 

 in Mustard, or remain buried, as in 

 the garden Pea. Plants bearing seeds of this structure 



