DEHISCENT FRUITS. 



255 



(fig. 449), or leaving them in the centre. This dehiscence is loculicidal 

 (locuhtfj cell, and ccedo, I cut). Sometimes the fruit opens by the 

 dorsal suture, and at the same time the valves or walls of the ovaries 

 separate from the septa (fig. 450), leaving them attached to the centre, 



as in Datura. This is called septifragal dehiscence (septum and frango, 

 I break), and may be looked upon as a modification of the loculicidal. 

 The separation of the valves takes place either from above downwards 

 (fig. 450), or from below upwards (fig. 451). 



Fig. 445. Capsule of Digitalis purpurea at the moment of dehiscence, when the two cavities, 

 c c, separate by division of the septum, d d, so as to have the appearance of distinct carpels. At 

 the apex are seen the seeds, y. 



Fig. 446. Inferior portion of the same capsule cut transversely, to show the formation of the 

 septum, d, formed by the two inner faces of the carpels, c c. pp, Placentaries reflected and pro- 

 jecting into the interior of the cavities, g, Seeds. 



Fig. 447. Capsule (tricoccous regma) of Kieinus communis, Castor-oil plant, at the moment of 

 dehiscence. The three carpels or cocci, c c c, are separated from the axis, a, by which they were 

 at first united (see fig. 453), and which remains in a columnar fora. These cocci begin to open 

 by their dorsal suture, s d. 



Fig. 448. Capsule of Iris opening by loculicidal dehiscence. 



Fig. 449. Capsule of Hibiscus esculcntus, showing also loculicidal dehiscence. v v v, Valves of 

 the seed-vessel, <, Septum or partition. </, Seeds. 



Fig. 450. Capsule of Cedrela angustifolia, the valves of which, v v v, separate from the septa, 

 c c, by septifragal dehiscence. The separation takes place from above downwards, in such a 

 manner that the axis, a, remains in the centre, with five projecting angles, corresponding to the 

 septa, ff, The seeds contained in the loculaments. 



