SEXUAL REPRODUCTION 



303 



often, cracks transversely so as to loosen a lid (fig. 350). In 

 the former case, if it is composed of two or more carpels, 

 (1) the carpels may separate from each other along their 

 original line of coalescence. If these carpels so separated 

 contain only one or two seeds, they may remain indehiscent 

 and behave like the simple pistils previously described ; but 



Fig. 350. 



Fig. 350 — Ripe capsule of pimpernell {Anagallis arvensis), opening by a lid. 



Magnified several diam. — After Baillon. 

 Fig. 351. — Diagrams showing three modes in which capsules break as seen in trans- 



vt-rse sections. A, septicidal dehiscence; B, loculicidal dehiscence ; C, septifragal 



dehiscence. Modified from Prantl. 



if they contain several to many seeds, they also break along 

 their inner edges (A, fig. 351). Or, (2) the carpels may 

 split along the middle, ami also at the center of the ovulai v 

 if it is more than one-chambered (B, fig. 351 ; A, fig. 349). 

 Or, (3) the outer parts of the carpel may split away from the 

 placentae, thus exposing the seeds (C, fig. 351). 



411. Fleshy fruits. — The changes which produce fleshy 

 fruits consist in the transformation of certain parts of the 

 pericarp into masses of thin- walled juicy cells. Other parts 

 may remain unchanged, or may even become hardened. The 

 inner part ot the pericarp sometimes becomes of a stony 

 hardness, while the outer portion becomessoft and juicy. Such 



