THE PARSLEY FAMILY. 205 



1. The ready splitting of the fruit into two halves, 



mericarps. 



2. The strongly marked longitudinal ribs on the outer 



surface of each mericarp. 



3. The stylopodium, a short conical body in which the 



fruit is prolonged above. 



4. The carpophore, or prolongation of the pedicel ; its 



two thread-like branches each supporting one of 

 the mericarps. (Best seen in specimens of fennel 

 that have lain in water an hour or two.) 1 



II. Compare the three fruits more in detail, using a 

 good lens for the purpose. Observe 



1. The number and position of the ribs. Begin with 



fennel, in which it is at once seen that each meri- 

 carp has five strong ribs, two lateral, one dorsal, 

 arid two intermediate. How does the dill fruit 

 compare in this respect ? 



The coriander fruit differs remarkably from either of 

 the preceding. If a mericarp is carefully studied, 

 it will be seen to have five primary ribs, corre- 

 sponding to those of fennel, but wavy in outline 

 and less prominent than four secondary ribs alter- 

 nating with them. 



2. Remains of floral envelopes. If uninjured specimens 



are examined, it will be seen that the calyx teeth of 

 the coriander are conspicuously present at the apex 

 of the fruit. Is this true of the dill and fennel ? 



III. Prepare transverse sections of the mericarps of all 

 three species, and examine with the low power of a com- 

 pound microscope. In each case it will be necessary to 

 take at least two sections, one near the apex of the fruit, 

 and one near the middle or lower down. 



