SECT. V. THE FRUIT. 155 



The cavities formed by the union of the valves Which 

 and partitions, and in which the seeds are lodged, 

 are denominated cells. In some fruits their figure the seeds - 

 is distinct and well defined ; but in others, al- 

 though the seeds are separated, yet there are no 

 regular cells., the seeds being imbedded in a sort of 

 pulp, as in the Grape and Gooseberry. Of those 

 whose figure is distinct and well defined, some 

 contain one seed and others more. In some fruits 

 the cells are close and compact, but in others they 

 are remote and distended, as in Staphyka. The 

 number of cells is not always constant even in the 

 same species, but is liable to the same accidental 

 defects as the number of ovaries. In their position 

 they are opposite, as in Veronica; or verticillate, 

 as in the Tulip and Heaths ; or longitudinal, as in 

 the Bean ; or irregular, as in Cyamus Nelumbo. 



If a pericarp of one cell contains only one seed, 

 it is said to be monospermous ; if it contains two 

 seeds, it is clispermous ; and if many seeds, poly- 

 spermous. If the pericarp contains more than one 

 cell, still the individual cell is characterized from 

 the number of seeds. 



That part of the fruit or pericarp to which the Which are 

 seeds arc attached i? denominated the receptacle 

 of the seed. Sometimes the valves are the recep- cle - 

 tacle, as in Butomus umbcllatus ; sometimes the 

 partitions are the receptacle, as in the Tulip and 

 Poppy ; sometimes the base of the pericarp, as in 

 E6rago ; sometimes the apex^ as in the Elm ; and 



