OF THE FRUIT. 



16i. In the fruit we see the end and 

 aim of plant-life accomplished, accord- 

 ing to the wise and good design of the 

 great Creator. While it serves to re- 

 produce and keep alive the plants upon 

 the earth, it also serves as food for ani- 

 mals and for man. 



165. It is curious to observe how dif- ^ 266 Dn)pe _ a ripc 

 ferent are the parts of the fruit which Cherry. 

 in different plants become food. In the rf ^ * 6 Tryma -aeon, 

 Apple, we eat the calyx which here 



adheres to the ovary, and in ripening was thickened and en- 

 larged by the nutritions substance. In the Strawberry, we 

 eat the enlarged, pulpy 

 torus, which bears, all 

 over its surface, the little 

 dry, seed-like fruit. In 

 Peach, the luscious mor- 

 sel is the outer coats of 

 the ovary itself; and in 

 the Orange, it is the in- 



Fig. 26S. EUBrio, a Blackberry. 

 Fig. 269. Capsule of Violet, open. 



ner coat. In the 



Pea, Wheat, and most 



plants, the nourishing 



matter is laid up in the seeds, while the carpels ripen into 



a dry fruit. 



166. The fruit consists of the seeds and the seed-vessels 

 The word pericarp means the same as seed-vessel. When 



164 Mention some of the uses of the fruit. 



105. Can you tell us what part of the Apple is eaten ? What part of the 

 Strawberry is the eatable part ? What part of the Peach ? the Orange ? In 

 what part is the nutrition* matter deposited in the Pea? Wheat ? Almond ? 



