FRUITS 



CHAPTER XXVI 



FRUITS 



AFTER the two nuclei, the one from the pollen tube and 

 the one in the ovule, have united, important changes take 

 place in the ovule. From the resulting nucleus and the 

 parts immediately surrounding it, the embryo is formed while 

 the rest of the ovule is transformed into seed-coats, endo- 

 sperm, etc. But the ovary surrounding the ovules, also grows 

 and undergoes changes, and, gradually, the ripened structure 

 called the fruit is formed. The fruit is, strictly speaking, 

 the ripened ovary ami its contents. 



In many cases, the petals and stamens fall away soon after 

 fertilization is accomplished or remain in a withered condition, 

 but do not undergo any further changes.. The calyx often 

 remains without further change during ripening, but may fall 

 away also. 



But in many cases, also, one or more of the circles of 

 structures outside the pistils may remain, undergo further 

 growth, and form with the altered ovary and its content of 

 seeds a complex body which is also commonly spoken of as 

 the fruit ; even the receptacle is sometimes enlarged and 

 made a part of the fruit in this looser sense. Consequently 

 we find a considerable variety of kinds of fruits. 



The fruit serves two purposes : 



1. It protects and helps nourish the ripening seeds. 



2. It assists in the scattering or dispersal of the seeds. 



