256 



DEHISCENT FRUITS. 



533. Sometimes the axis is prolonged as far as the base of the styles, 

 as in the Mallow (fig. 452), and Castor-oil plant (fig. 453), the carpels 

 being united to it by their faces, and separating 

 from it without opening. In the Umbelliferae 

 (fig. 454), the two carpels separate from the lower 

 part of the axis, and remain attached to a pro- 

 longation of it, called a carpophore (xtt^vo;, fruit, 

 and &&>, I bear), or podocarp (-noii;, foot, and 

 x^os, fruit), which splits into two (fig. 454 a). 

 and suspends them. Hence the name cremocarp 

 (x.^/ndu, I suspend), applied to this fruit. In 

 4? Geraniaceae, the axis is prolonged beyond the 

 carpels, forming a carpophore, to which the styles 

 are attached, and the pericarps separate from 

 below upwards, before dehiscing by their dorsal 

 suture (fig. 455). Carpels of this kind are 

 called cocci (X.OXX.GS, seed, berry), and the fruit is said to be tncoccous, 

 &c., according to the number of separate carpels. In the case of many 

 Euphorbiaceae, as Hura crepitans, the cocci separate with great force 

 and elasticity, the cells being called dissilient (dissilio, I burst). 



1.-.3 



534. In the Siliqua or fruit of Cruciferse, as Wallflower (fig. 456), 

 the valves separate from the base of the fruit, leaving a central repluin 

 or frame, r. The repluin is considered as being formed by parietal 

 placentas, which remain attached to the fibro- vascular line of the 

 suture, the valves giving way on either side of the suture. In Orchi- 

 daceae (fig. 457), the pericarp, when ripe, separates into three valves, 



Fig, 45L Capsule of Swietenia Slahagoni, opening by valves from below upwards. The letters 

 have the same signification as in fig. 450. 



Fig. 452. Fruit of Malva rotundifolia, with half the carpels comprising it removed, to show 

 the axis, a, to which they are attached. This axis ends at the point where the style, s, is pro- 

 duced, c <, The carpels which are left attached to the axis, around which they are arranged in 

 a verticillate manner. The lateral surface of the two carpels in front, f, is exposed. 



Fig. 453. Tricoccous capsule of Kicinus communis, Castor-oil plant, cut vertically, to show 

 the axis, a, prolonged between the carpels, and terminating by small cords or funicuU, /, which 

 project into the loculaments, and are attached to seeds, g g, Seeds exposed, each surmounted by 

 a fleshy caruncula, c . p p, Pericarp. 



Fig. 454. Fruit or cremocarp of Prangos uloptera, an umbelliferous plant. The carpels, 

 meriearps, or achsenia, c c, separate from the axis, a, and are each suspended by a carpophore. 

 * , Persistent styles with swollen bases, forming an epigynous disk. 



