274 



LSSSOIfS WITS PLANTS 



the nature of the fruit as to substance, size or 

 dehiscence cannot be determined from an exami- 

 nation of the pistil. 



323a. A berry, in botanical language, is any several- or many- 

 seeded fruit •vrhioh is more or less soft and juicy throughout. As 

 commonly, and likewise properly, used, the word designates any 



small, pulpy seed-fruit (using the word fruit in its horticultural sig- 

 nificance). In the horticultural or common-language sense, straw- 

 berries and blackberries are berries, but in the botanical sense 

 grapes, currants, gooseberries, tomatoes and oranges are berries. 

 The word is commonly used in these two meanings without much 

 confusion arising, but if it should be necessary to choose between 

 the two, it must be remembered that the botanist borrowed the 

 word from common language, and that the latter, therefore, has 

 prior rights. 



324. If there are no constant differences in the 

 pistils of baccate (or berry-bearing) and capsular 

 fruits, then we should expect to find closely related 

 plants upon which the two kinds of fruits are borne. 

 The Solanacese, or nightshade family, may be selected 



