midrib also. The cells are developed into fibres di- 

 af^onally froin the inner edp;e to the dorsal line of 

 each carpel, parallel to the top of the layer. In 

 opening this layer splits down the midrib of +he car- 

 pel and in front. It then opens at the top and each 

 half below be^rins to contract in a transverse direc- 

 tion. The cross-section oT the openinf^ layer is sho vn 

 before cuntraction in fif^ure 39 after openinp; of the 

 fruit in figure 40. The pressure exerted comes grad- 

 ually on the seed, and it is throvm out, not by a sud- 

 den movement of the capsule as in r-iany such contri- 

 vances, but by being pinched on the smooth pointed 

 lower end. T'he great smoothness of the peed and of 

 the inside of the capsule assist greatly in the pro- 

 cess. Tiie seeds are often thrown to a distance of 

 twenty feet. This moveinent is caused by cirying, as 



