COMPENDIUM OF GENERAL BOTANY. 



(a) The legume or true pod is a single-chambered fruit formed 

 from one carpel ; seeds are placed along the ventral suture ; dehis- 

 cence along the dorsal and ventral suture from above downward 

 (Leguminosoe). 



(b) T\\Q follicle opens along the ventral suture only (Pceonia). 



(c) The silique, two- chambered ; dehisces along both sutures 

 from below upward; the placentae, as the partition, remain 

 behind while the valves fall away (Cruciferm). 



(d) True capsules, usually dehisce from the apex downward, 

 or they may discharge the ovules through chinks or pores, as -in 

 Papaver they may open at the teeth-like projections near the 

 apex, as in Primula; by valves opening lengthwise, as in Iris and 

 8yringa\ or transversely, as in Colchicum autumnale ; or by the 

 dissolving of the partition, as in Datura. We may therefore 

 recognize loculicidal, septicidal, and septifragal dehiscence. 



2. Carpels (splitting fruits) are again divided into : 



(a) Cremocarp, consisting of a pair of akene-like ovaries com- 

 pletely united in the blossom, but splitting apart when mature 

 ( Umbelliferce). 



(b) Loment resembles a legume, but splits up crosswise at dis- 

 tinct joints or transverse septa (Desmodium). 



The achenium, drupe (stone-fruit), and berry do not open 

 according to such systematic methods. 



3. The achenium is usually small with a dry woody coat. 

 This fruit may again be divided into : (a) achenium proper, (b) 

 caryopsis. .In both the seed is closely united witli the seed-cover- 

 ing or pericarp. The achenium arises from inferior ovaries (Com- 

 positce), the caryopsis from superior ovaries, (c) Samara or key- 

 fruit, which is an akene furnished with wing-like appendages 



(elm, ash, maple), (d) Nut; this as well as the key-fruit has free 

 seeds lying within the seed-covering. The covering of the nut 

 consists of typical sclerenchyma cells (hazelnut, chestnut, acorn, 

 etc.). 



4. Drupe (stone -berry). The inner layer of the fruit-cover- 

 ing (endocarp) is very hard ; the outer layer (including mesocarp 

 and epicarp) is succulent and much enlarged, as in our stone-fruits, 

 the cherry, plum, etc. ; or it may be dry and fibrous, as in the 

 cocoanut ; or almost leathery, as in the walnut and almond. (The 

 entire fruit- covering is usually known as the pericarp.) The 



