SECT. V. THE FRUIT, 



The spadix is simple, that is without divisions, as Modifica- 



r ' iij tions. 



in the different species or Arum ; or branched, ,as 

 in the Palms. The foot-stalk is linear, as in Zos- 

 ter a marina ; or cylindrical, or flattened, or club- 

 chaped, as in Arum. In Arum the flowers encircle 

 the foot-stalk about the middle ; in Calla they in- 

 vest it wholly ; and in the Palms they form with 

 the several divisions of the foot-stalk terminal or 

 lateral spikes. 



SECTION V 

 The Fruit. 



IN the progress of fructification, when the several Defini- 

 organs of the flower have discharged their respective 

 functions, the petals, the stamens, the style, and 

 often the calyx, wither and fall. The ovary alone 

 remains attached to the plant, and swells and ex- 

 pands till it reaches maturity. It is now denomi- 

 nated the fruit. But at the period of its complete 

 developement it also detaches itself from the plant 

 and drops into the bosom of the earth, containing 

 and protecting the embryo of the future vegetable. 

 The fruit then is the ripened ovary and the parts 

 which it contains. In popular language the term is 

 confined chiefly to such fruits as are esculent, as the 

 Apple, the Peach, and the Cherry, or perhaps, to 

 the esculent part only ; but with the botanist the 

 matured ovary of every flower with the parts con- 

 tained constitutes the fruit. 



