MIIIBEL'S CLASSIFICATION OF FRUITS. S9 



whole fruit is a juic}^ calyx, or common receptacle, containing in 

 its cavity innumerable florets, each of which has a proper calyx of 

 its own, which becoming pulpy invests the seed, (Fig. 107.) The pa- 

 per mulberry of China is an intermediate genus between the mul- 

 berry and fig, resembling a fig laid open, but without any pulp in the 

 common receptacle. 



9th. Strobilum, (Fig. 105,) is a catkin or anient hardened and en- 

 larged into a seed vessel, as in the pine ; this is called an aggregate- 

 or compound pericarp. In the most perfect examples of thiVkindol 

 fruit, the seeds are closely enveloped by the scales, as by a capsule. 

 The Strobilum is of various forms, as co^iical^obloug^roitmJ, or ovate. 



The intelligent student will now perceive how much instruction 

 may be derived from the study of the various kinds of fruits. And, 

 although the rich gifts of God in this department of nature may be 

 partaken of by the creatures of his bounty, with the rehsh which he 

 kindly enables us to enjoy, still we cannot but feel, that in the enjoy- 

 ment arising from the philosophical contemplation of these His 

 works, there is an exercise of higher and nobler faculties. The ex- 

 ternal sense is "of the earth, earthy," the mental enjoyment may be 

 shared with us by angels. The blessedness of heaven, we have rea- 

 son to believe, will in'part consist in studying and admiring the wis- 

 dom of God, as displayed in the works of his hand. 



MIRBEL'S CLASSIFICATION OF FRUITS, OR PERICARPS. 



The following classification of fruits, by one of the most eminent 

 botanists of the age, is given for the more advanced pupil. It is not 

 introduced as being a part of the elements of Botany. The teacher 

 will do well, therefore, to pass over the remainder of this lecture, 

 leaving the pupil to read it at leisure, or to study it in the course of 

 a reviewing lesson. 



Mirbel has divided the fruits of all phenogamous plants into two 

 classes ; 1st, Gymnocarpes, which include ah such as are not masked 

 or covered by any organ, which conceals their true character. 2d, 

 Angiocarpes, which include all fruits covered by any organ, which 

 disguises them from observation. 



CLASS I. GYMNOCARPES. 



Friiits not covered. 



Order 1st. Carcerulares, (from career, a prison.) simple fruits, 

 without valves, and which never open spontaneously. This order 

 includes the fruits of syngenesious plants, of the grasses, &c. 



Cypsela,* (from KupseJion, a cof- 

 fer.) The pericarp is one-celled, 

 one-seeded, adhering; the seed is 

 2 erect, with the radicle pointing to 

 '• the hilura ; it is monocephalous, and 

 cro\vaed by the border of the calyx, 

 prolonged in scales, in ridges, or an 

 egret. Figure 93 represents a peri- 

 carp of this genus ; it is of the syn- 

 genesious family; the pericarp (a) 

 is turbinate, (shaped like a top;) its 

 surface is pubescent and furrowed ; 

 * This is the achenium, or acine, of some writers. 

 .Strawberry— Fig— Paper mulberry— Strobilum— Into what two classes has Mirbel 

 divided fruits ?— Describe the order Carcerulares— Describe the genus Cypsela. 

 8* ■ 



