76 



FRUITS 



common in other plants also, the trumpet flower {Tecoma 

 radicans) being a conspicuous example. Open any con- 

 venient specimen and notice the manner of dehiscence. 

 How does it differ from that of the legume '^. What other 

 difference do you perceive .'' Are the edges of the valves 

 reflexed or folded in any way so as to form the two cells 

 or chambers into which the silique is divided .'' How is the 

 partition made .'' A dividing wall of this sort, that is made 

 in any other way than by the inflexed margins of the car- 

 pels, is called a false partition. Sketch 

 your specimen as it appears with one 

 of the valves removed, showing the 

 position and attachment of the seeds. 

 Where is the placenta ? Is the false 

 partition parallel with the valves or at 

 right angles to them ? Compare it in 

 this respect with other specimens of the 

 same family, and with the sihque of the 

 trumpet vine, if you 

 can get one ; is the 

 direction of the parti- 

 tion always the same } 

 Does it fall away with 

 the valves or remain 

 attached to the receptacle.' 



159 160 



159, 160. — Silique of 

 mustard : 159, closed ; 

 160, after dehiscence, 

 showing false parti- 

 tion, p. 



102. The Silicle is only a short and 

 broad silique, Hke those of the shep- 

 herd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) 

 and pepper grass {Lepidiimi). The last 

 two named belong to the class known as 



161 162 



161, 162. — Silicle of 

 shepherd's purse : i5i, 

 entire; 162, with one 

 carpel removed, show- 

 ing attachment of 

 seeds, and the false 

 partition running con- 

 trary to the flattened 

 sides. 



103. Syncarpous or Compound Pods. — Generally speak- 

 ing, there are never more carpels in a pod than there are 

 seed-bearing sutures. In a boll of cotton, or a pod of okra, 

 iris, or other large dehiscent fruit, notice the lines or seams 

 running from base to apex of the pericarp ; into how many 

 sections or carpels do they divide it ? When several car- 

 pels unite in this way into one body, they form a syncar- 



