CHAP. n. KRirr. 193 



halves lield together by a common permanent suture. Cru- 

 ciferae. Silicula is a small form of the same. 



11. Legumen, a dry elongated pericarp, consisting of two 

 halves or valves externally forming two sutures. Legu- 

 minosae. 



12. Lomentum, a legumen divided internally by spurious 

 dissepiments, not dehiscing longitudinally, but either remain- 

 ing always closed, as Cassia Fistula, or separating into pieces 

 at transverse contractions along its length, as Ornithopus. 



Tlie following are enumerated as stpurious fruits. 



13. Strobibis, an Amentum the scales of which have be- 

 come woody. Pinus. 



14. Spurious capside. Fagus, Rumex, Carex. 



15. Spurious nut. Trapa, Coix, Mirabilis. 



16. Spurious drupe. Taxus, Anacardium, Semecarpus. 



17. Sjmrious bacca. Juniperus, Fragaria, Basella. 



By this author the names of fruits are, perhaps, more loosely 

 and inaccurately applied than by any other. 



Link objects to applying particular names to variations in 

 anatomical structure ; observing, " that botanists have strayed 

 far from the right road in distinguishing these terms by cha- 

 racters which are precise and difficidt to seize. Terms are 

 only applied to distinct parts, as the leaf, peduncle, calj-x, and 

 stamens, and not to modifications of them. Who has ever 

 thought of giving a distinct name to a labiate or papilionaceous 

 corolla, or who to a pinnated leaf?" But this sort of reason- 

 ing is of little value if it is considered that the fruit is subject 

 to infinitely greater diversity of structure than any other organ, 

 and that names for these modifications have become necessary, 

 for the sake of avoiding a minute explanation of the complex 

 differences upon which they depend. Besides, to admit, as 

 Link actually does, such names as capsula, &c. is abandoning 

 the argument ; and when the following definitions, which this 

 learned botanist has proposed, are considered, I think that 

 little doubt need exist as to whether terms should be employed 

 in the manner recommended by himself, or with the minute 

 accuracy of the French. According to Professor Link, the 

 following are the limits of Carpological nomenclature : — 



1. Copsvla, any dry membranous or coriaceous pericarp. 



o 



