FERTILIZATION AND THE ORIGIN OF SEEDS 211 



within the ovule and in adjacent parts, and carries them on 

 till the seed is ripe and ready for an independent existence. 

 But some of the changes may go on, and fruits form even 

 in the absence of fertilization, as in fruits like the Banana, 

 seedless forms of Orange, Grape, and others. These, how- 

 ever, do not contain ripe seed capable of germination. 



CHAPTER XVI 

 STRUCTURE OF FRUITS 



The fruit is the structure produced from the pistil as 

 a result of fertilization. In the Pea and Bean, this con- 

 sists of one carpel, but in the Stock there are two united 

 carpels. Commonly, however, the pistil consists of several 

 carpels, sometimes free as in the Buttercup, sometimes 

 united as in the Violet and Crocus. 



In common edible fruits the fleshy part which is eaten, 

 often consists of structures other than the pistil. These 

 are known as false fruits, while those formed from the 

 pistil only are known as true fruits. 



In all cases the object of their formation is the produc- 

 tion of seeds, containing a young plantlet capable of growing 

 into a new plant. In some fruits the fruit-coat or pericarp 

 is dry and does not split until the seed within germinates ; 

 in others, the fruit-coat splits and the seeds are scattered. 

 Others, again, have a succulent or fleshy fruit-coat, and 

 most of our edible fruits belong to this class. A few speci- 

 mens of each kind should be obtained and carefully studied. 



Dry indehiscent fruits. -The Hazel-nut (Fig. 187, 8) 

 is enclosed in a cup consisting of large, leafy bracts. 

 Break open the hard, dry shell and note the single seed 

 within (sometimes two may be found). Look for the 



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