96 MIRBEL'S CLASSIFICATION OF FRUITS. 



Synoposis o/Mirbd's Orders and Genera of Pericarps. 

 CLASS L 

 Fruit naked, Gymnocarpes. 

 Order 1. Caecerdlares, simple fruits, remaining closed, 

 ri. Cypsela, 

 Genera, < 2. Cenon, 



Is. Carcerula. 

 Order 2. Capsdlares, simple fruits, which open at maturity. 

 Capsule, 



ri. Capsule, 



n,--.nprT J '-• Legume, 



LTtnera, < ^_ g^jj^^^g ^^^^j SiUicle, 



1 4. Pyxides. 



.4. Pyxides. 



Order 3. Dierssilia, simple fruits, which divide into many parts when ripe. 

 n. Cremocarp, 

 Genera, < 2. Regmate, 

 13. Dieresil. 



Order 4. Etaironnair, compound fruits, proceeding from a germ to which the style 

 adheres. 



Order 5. Cenoeionnair, compound fruits, proceeding from a germ not bearag the 

 style. 



Genera, <! 1. Cenobium. 

 Order 6. Drupaces, simple and succulent fruits, contained in a nut. 



Genera, -i 1. Drupe. 

 Order 7. Eaccati, simple, succulent fruits, containing many separate seeds. 

 ri. Pyridion, 

 Genera, < 2. Pepo, 

 Is. Bacca. 



CLASS IL 

 Covered fruits, Angiocaepes. 



Genera, 



1. Calybion, 



2. Strohilum, 



3. Sycone, 



4. Sorose. 



LECTURE XV. 



THE SEED — SYNOPOSIS OF THE EXTERNAL ORGANS OF PLANTS, 



The seed may be considered as that link in the chain of vegetable 

 existence which connects the old and new plant ; were this destroyed, 

 were nature to fail in her operation of perfecting the seed, what a 

 change would the earth soon exhibit ! One year would sweep away 

 the whole tribe of annual plants; beautiful flowers, medicinal herbs, 

 and oiu- most important grains for the sustenance of man and beast, 

 would vanisji for ever. Another year would take from us many of 

 our most useful garden vegetables, and greatly reduce the number 

 of our ornamental plants. Year after year the perennials would 

 vanish, until the earth would present but one vast scene of vegetable 

 ruin. The ancient pines and venerable oaks, instead of the smiling 

 aspect of ever-renovating nature which they now witness, would 

 stand alone in solitary grandeur, the mournful remains of a once 



Repeat the Synopysis of IMirbel's ciassification— What is the seed? its form— What 

 would be the appearance of the earth, if plants should cease to produce perfect seed 1 



