FRUIT. 47 



of the fruit, the ovarium, is left out of view ; and all 

 such systems, however easy and simple they may appear 

 as far as regards their immediate applicability, will be 

 found to be based upon principles which will, instead of 

 leading the observer to any true idea of structure, lead 

 him to an indistinct and superficial notion of affairs. 

 The classification of Dr. Lindley, however, is one based 

 upon principles derived from an accurate investigation 

 of the laws regulating the development of the fruit in 

 its ovarial state. 



258. According to which all fruits may be divided 

 into four classes, simple, aggregate, compound, and col- 

 lective. 



259. Simple fruits are those in which the ovaria are 

 distinct from each other, formed out of a single carpel- 

 lary leaf, and no more than one series of them produced 

 a single flower, as in the Bean. 



260. Aggregate, in which the ovaria are simple like 

 the last, but more than one series of them is developed 

 by each flower, as in the Strawberry. 



261. Compound, in which the ovaria are compound, the 

 carpellary leaves of them becoming united to each other, 

 as in the Apple. 



262. Collective in which the ovaria of many flowers 

 become massed together, the fruit deriving its charac- 

 ters from the incrassated floral coverings, as in the 

 Fir-cone. 



263. Under these heads we shall place the different 

 forms of fruit most commonly met with. 



