148 VEGETABLE ORGANOGRAPHY. 



Leguminosne, the solitary carpels of the Larkspur. 

 This solitariness of the carpel, produced by the abortion 

 of the neighbouring ones, is perceived by the lateral 

 position of the seeds ; this has caused them to be con- 

 founded with fruits formed by the natural union of 

 several carpels. To these has been given, very impro- 

 perly, and solely on account of their external appear- 

 ance, the name of Simple fruits, although they are more 

 complicated, and this name is much more applicable to 

 those of which we are about to treat. Let us now 

 examine the results of the natural union of the carpels 

 of the same flower. 



Section III. 

 Of the Carpels of the same Flower united together. 



The carpels proceeding from the same flower may be 

 united together at two different periods : — 



1st. There are some which are originally perfectly 

 free and distinct, but so near to each other, that, if they 

 become fleshy, they can unite together, on approaching 

 maturity, into a single body usually slightly irregular. 

 This late union of numerous and fleshy carpels is very 

 well seen in Dillenia and Anona; there results from 

 this aggregation a fruit marked with areolae, which are 

 the traces of the tops of the carpels ; the seeds appear 

 irregularly distributed in the mass, because the walls of 

 the carpel being fleshy and united, we cannot recognise 

 their primitive disposition. 



2d. In a great number of flowers the carpels are 

 naturally united together from the first; this circum- 



