COMPOUND PODS 263 



which the top of the pod comes off, sometimes 

 like a cover and sometimes like a hinged lid. 

 This type of dehiscence is described as cir- 

 cumcissile, and such a pod is a pyxis. 



309. A modification of this type of de- 

 hiscence is seen in the jeffersonia or I'heu- 

 matism-root (Fig. 249), in which the pod 

 breaks half around near its apex, and the 

 upper portion or valve forms a lid. Some 

 pods open by holes or pores in the top, 

 as those of the poppy and water lilies. 

 All these types are examples of apical 

 dehiscence. Not all the pods mentioned fig. 250. 

 in these two paragraphs are simple. Podofuiac. 



L. COMPOUND PODS 



310. If the carpels or follicles of the columbine 

 (Fig. 247) were united more or less completely, we 

 should have a compound pod, or a capsule. 



311. If these carpels were united to their tops, 

 the primary dehiscence could not well take place 

 along the ventral sutures. The probability is that 

 the carpels would open on the back or outward 

 sides, or by first separating from each other. 



312. The seed-pod or capsule of the lilac 

 (which remains on the bush all winter) is shown in 



