1 66 



PLANT BIOLOGY 



Fig. 234. — Cap- 

 sule of Morn- 

 ing Gloky. 



236, 237). Some capsules are of one 

 locule, but they may have been compound 

 when young (in the ovary stage) and the 

 partitions may have vanished. Sometimes 

 one or more of the carpels are uniformly 

 crowded out by the exclusive growth of 

 other carpels (Fig. 235). The seeds or 

 parts which are crowded out are said to 

 be aborted. 



There are several ways in which cap- 

 sules dehisce or open. When they break 

 along the partitions (or septa), the mode is known as septi- 

 cidal dehiscence (Fig. 236) ; 

 In septicidal dehiscence the 

 fruit separates into parts 

 representing the original 

 carpels. These carpels 

 may still be entire, and 

 they then dehisce individu- 

 ally, usually along the inner 

 edge as if they were follicles. When the compartments 



split in the middle, between the 

 partitions, the mode is loculicidal 

 dehiscence (Fig. 237). In some 

 cases the dehiscence is at the top, 

 when it is said to be apical (al- 

 though several modes of dehis- 

 cence are here included). When 

 the ivJiole top comes off, as in purs- 

 lane and garden portulaca (Fig. 

 238), the pod is known as a pyxis. In some cases apical 

 dehiscence is by means of a hole or clefts. 



The peculiar capsule of the mustard family, or Cruci 



Fig. 235. — Three-carpeled Fruit 

 of Horse-chestnut. Two locules 

 are closing by abortion of the ovules. 



Fig. 236. — 

 St. John's 

 Wort. Sep- 

 ticidal. 



Fig. 237.— 

 Loculici- 

 dal Pod of 

 Day-lily. 



