MORPHOLOGY OF HIGHER PLANTS. 



411 



A Capsule is a dry, dehiscent fruit, consisting of two or more 

 united carpels. Dehiscence in capsules may occur in five different 

 ways : In the castor-bean ( Fig. 237, B ) the carpels separate from 

 each other along the walls or septa (dissepiments), the seeds being 

 dischareed along the ventral suture of the separated carpels, and 

 this mode of dehiscence is called SEPTICIDAL. In mustard (Fig. 



FIG. 238. Capsules of poppy (Papaver somniferum) , whole and in transverse and 

 longitudinal sections, showing dissepiments and remains of radiate stigmas at the apex, 

 which are porous and through which the seeds are discharged, i, French capsules; 2, 

 German capsules. 



236, A ) the dissepiments remain intact and dehiscence occurs along 

 the margin of the capsule, and is therefore called MARGINICIDAL ; 

 but as the partial carpels (or valves, as they are termed) separate 

 from the walls or septa, the dehiscence is also known as SEPTI- 

 FRAGAL. In cardamom (Fig. 237, C-) the septa as well as valves 

 are united, and at maturity the latter separate and dehisce at points 

 in the margin corresponding to the mid-vein of the carpel, and 



