CHAPTER XI 

 CLASSIFICATION OF FRUITS 



A PERFECT or even fairly satisfactory classification of fruits has never 

 been presented, and this is impossible, except through a complete 

 revision and uniform agreement of terminology, based upon a uniform 

 set of principles. A classification of some sort is, however, an essential 

 in pharmaceutical botany, and such an one is here presented as appears 

 most serviceable to those for whom it is intended. 



Two Principles Involved. — Among all the various systems which have 

 been proposed, two fundamental principles have been observed — first, 

 the morphological structure; second, the physiological features. By the 

 first, fruits have been classed according to the character and number 

 of the parts entering into their formation and the modifications which 

 these have undergone in fructification; by the second, according to the 

 structural and functional characters as seen in the complete fruit, 

 without regard to their mode of origin. As characters of the latter 

 kind exist for the sake of the offices which they are to fulfil, it is clear 

 that physiology forms the basis of the latter method of classification. 

 Although it is impracticable to follow either system without some regard 

 to the other, it may be said that to follow in the main the morphological 

 plan is the more scientific, the other the more convenient and the more 

 practical, especially in economic work. The latter is, therefore, the plan 

 which is here adopted. Fruits possessing pericarps fitted for transpor- 

 tation (a of our table) will then form the first of our two classes, while 

 those fitted for discharging their seeds in situ upon maturity will form 

 the second (e of the table). 



For a few fruits not readily introduced to this key, and for some 

 exceptions, the explanations which follow may be consulted: 



Fruits with pericarp designed for transportation (o). 

 Fruits with pericarp not designed for transportation (e). 

 With fleshy pericarp (Carnose) (b). 

 With non-fleshy pericarp (Siccose) (c). 

 With seeds embedded in a soft endocarp (g). 

 With seeds enclosed in a putamen (A). 



