236 ON THE SEED. 



which signifiies false seeds ; because, though they assume 

 the appearance of seeds, yet, being surrounded by their 

 pericarp, they are in reality fruits, and in this state they 

 are sown and germinate. 



Secondly. Those fleshy fruits which do not open nat- 

 urally ; these in the course of time become rotten, and 

 thus disengage their seeds. 



Thirdly. Fruits which are not fleshy, and which con- 

 tain a number of seeds, are collectively distinguished by 

 the name of capsular or dehiscent fruits. These open nat- 

 urally and shed their seeds, which are dispersed in falling, 

 and thus have a greater chance of germinating. 



Caroline. This classification of fruits is more easy to 

 comprehend than the others. 



Mrs. B. True, but it is much less important ; for, in- 

 stead of explaining the essence of things, it shows only 

 the consequences. It is, however, far from being devoid 

 of interest; but I shall enter into no further details : it is 

 better to rest satisfied with the knowledge of a few prin- 

 ciples, which I trust you will find no difficulty in applying 

 to the different plants which may come under your notice. 

 I can never sufficiently repeat, what my professor of bot- 

 any has so often observed, that natural history can be 

 learned but in a very imperfect manner in books ; and 

 that, in order to obtain a competent knowledge of objects, 

 they must be studied in nature. 



CONVERSATION XX. 



ON THE SEED. 



Mrs. B. Before we proceed to treat of the germina- 

 tion of the seed, we must examine its internal structure. 

 A seed may be considered as a germ situated at the axilla 

 of a leaf. 



Caroline. Of that famous little leaf which performs so 

 great a part in the flower and the fruit, and undergoes as 

 many transformations as harlequin in a pantomine ? 



Mrs. B. No ; the one I allude to is another little leaf, 

 which adheres so closely to the germ as to form the 

 coating of the seed itself: it is called the Spermoderm, 



1290. What does Mrs. B. say of this classification'? 1291. What 

 may we consider the seed! 



