CLASSIFICATION OF FKUITS. 



151 



Pome. The Pomum (fig. 305) 



is a compound, many-celled sue- Fig. 305. 



culent fruit, in which the epicarp 

 is fleshy, while the endocarp forms 

 either cartilaginous linings and 

 partitions to the cells (a "core"), 

 or bony shells around the more 

 or less separated cells Apple, 

 Quince, Medlar (fig. 303), Haw- 

 thorn, &c. The fleshy portion 

 of the pome consists of a dilata- 

 tion of the upper end of the 

 flower-stalk, in which the true Pome of Apple, 



carpels are imbedded. 



Pepo. The G-ourd is a succulent inferior one-celled fruit, with 

 the seeds on three parietal placentas, imbedded in pulp, which often 

 fills up the cavity; the epicarp is more or less leathery (Cucumber, 

 fig. 304), or thickened and indurated (Gourd). 



Infrutescences or Confluent Fruits. 



Syconus. The Syconus is a succulent fruit, formed of an en- 

 larged fleshy excavated or concave flowering axis, in which are im- 

 bedded numerous separate fruits with dry pericarps. In the Fig 

 the seed-like pericarps are seated on the walls of the internal 

 cavity (fig. 306) ; in Dorstenia they are imbedded in the concave- 

 topped common receptacle. 



Fig. 308. 



Fig. 306. 



i. 307. 



Fig. 306. Vertical section of the Fig (Fieus Carica). 

 Fig. 307. Fruit of Mulberry (Morus nigra). 

 Fig. 308. Fruit of Pine-apple (Ananasta sativa). 



