Reproduction of Angiosperras : The Fruit. 



I. In response to stimulation by (ertiHzaticm (often br postoatioo odyX 

 phenomena may obtain, associated with conduction of food-material towards 

 parts of the floral axis, starting from the ovules and ovary-chamber ; the latter 

 in order to contain the developing seeds, and is more or less specialized in connect 

 with the necessity of protecting these from desiccation. The general methods are 



ncrease in volume and mass of tissues ; (s) aqueous tissue storing water to vir 



^nrsssr ***' toiH 



of osmotic cell-contents ; (3) sclerosis of protective Ugnttsd regions ; (4) 

 \u:h general storage of food in living cells as they cease growth. 



II. GtaMral Theory of the Carpel : The carpel regarded as a leaf folded oo 

 its upper sur&ce to form the ovary-chamber, for protection of ovules to 



opens out at their maturation, in order to discharge the latter: (i)byan 

 movement ; (s) by the physical tensions of dead tissues. 



III. The simplest fruit is thus that of the many-ovuled apocarpous carpel 

 (= Follicle), e.g. Columbine, Monkshood, HtlUbor*t % etc.; the suture is opened 

 up as the wall dries, and seeds are passively shed from apical aperture downwards. 



A more special case is the Pod (or legume) characteristic of the family 

 Leguminosae ; the single flattened carpel opens by the suture, but also splits along 

 the opposite edge (midrib-line) giving 2 'valves'; these contract symmetrically, in 



spiral curves, and the seeds are set free by ' torsion '-effect, thrown 

 (10-12 ft.) : cf. Pea, Bean, Furze, Broom, Laburnum, RoKma. 



IV. SyncarpouB Ovaries, retaining indications of vestigial carpels, 

 more or less in terms of the original units, giving vafas of the same ni 

 carpels, or twice as many (cf. pod) ; or the apertures reduce to port* : 



a vast variety of Capculea. In such note : number of carpels indicate* ' 



number of seeds ; mode of dehiscence, (a) along old lines; (ft) along new lines, the 



simplest case (locutitidal) opens up the cavities directly (Lily). 



In the case of ' inferior-ovaries ' the lines are necessarily quite new (Iris) : in the 

 case of Crucifcrs, ' valves' are cut out of a framework. Many other elaborate con- 

 structions of the same kind (cf. Mahogany). Syncarpous ovaries in the limit may 

 open along lines which ignore the old construction altogether; cf. ' Pyxidium'. by 

 a transverse lid ; the case of portions of the ovary split off (Schizocarps), and the 

 individual portions containing i or more seeds (Mericarps, and 'Coed*). 



V. More specialized in another direction are those which no longer dehisce at all 

 (Indehiscent) ; saving the trouble, especially when containing only i seed, and striking 

 out new lines : Special cases : 



(a) the entire wall is sclerosed more or less, and incapable of opening ; if smaO 

 and feeble, the case of the Aohene, including small and deteriorated cases (//</;**/*, 

 Rose, Buttercup). 



(ft) if large and woody (to be <c raked') the case of the HiU' (Hazel). Points 

 to note are again, the number of carpels, mode of placentaikm, superior or inferior 

 ovary, number of seeds, typically reduced to i ; the method readily following reduction 

 of ovary-contents (Acorn). 



NoU every indehisccnt ovary was once dehiscent, as every syncarpous ovary was 

 once apocarpous. 



V I . More elaborate methods, involving succulence and water-storage (by c* 



adds) in parenchyma of the ovary-wall, give the case of the Berry ; in winch, before 

 death of the tissues, adds may diminish, starch turn to sugars ; striking pigments may 

 appear (anthocyan, carotin) ; the fruit becomes conspicuous and attractive to animals as 

 food. The Berry in various forms; typically in the Grape (sup: 2), Currant (inf: 2) ; 

 Nolt the number of carpels, and whether superior or inferior. Special cases as the 

 Orange (sup: 9-11), Banana (inf: 3), Melon (mf: 3). 



re specialized still, as combining the two last 



external region (Sarcocarp), and sclerosed internal zone (Sderocarp), often 

 off by median V.B. system. In such case the sarcocarp is attractive and cunspkuom 

 (edible), the sderocarp becomes more useful as protection against damage to enclosed 

 seed (usually i only). The case of the Drupe, typically seen in Plum (sup: i) and 

 Cherry, Peach ; less marked in Almond (non-edible and still dehiscent); as also in 

 Walnut (inf: 2), and Coco-nut (sup: 3) with fibrous husk. 



'3 



