FRUIT. 



Fig. 45. 



49 



264. Simple fruits. The legume, or pod (a), is one- 

 celled, or many-seeded, the seeds being borne on a ven- 

 tral suture, the dehiscence being sutural by two valves. 

 (The Pea.) The follicular form of it (as in the Peony), 

 dehisces by one valve, and the lomentaceous (as in the 

 Birds-foot Trefoil), by solubility. 



265. The utricle (b) is membranous, one-celled, and 

 one or two-seeded, and often dehiscing by a transverse 

 incision. (Beet-root.) 



266. The nut is hard, dry, and indehiscent, one-celled 

 and one-seeded, the pericarp not adhering to the seed 

 itself, and superior. (Borage.) 



267. The drupe (c) is soft and fleshy, with a stony 

 endocarp, and indehiscent, one-celled, and one or two- 

 seeded. (Nectarine and Cherry.) 



268. Aggregate fruits. The ceterio (d) has its ovaria 

 distinct from each other, the pericarps being indehiscent, 

 and placed upon an enlarged receptacle, which is some- 

 times fleshy, as in the fruit of the Strawberry ; or 

 dry, as in a Butter- cup. The minute pericarpia are 

 nuts. 



