304 



DEHISCENT FRUITS. 



the dissepiments, so that the fruit will be resolved into its original 

 carpels, as in Khododendron, Oolchicum, etc. This dehiscence, in 

 consequence of taking place through the lamellse of the septum, is 

 called septicidal (septum and ccedOj I cut) (figs. 641, 542). The valves 



Fig. 544. Fig. 545. Fig. 546, 



may separate from their commissure, or central line of union, carrying 

 the placentas with them, or they may leave the latter in the centre, 

 so as to form with the axis a column of a cylindrical, conical, or 

 prismatic shape, which has received the designation of columella (fig. 



Fig. 541. Capsule of Digitalis purpurea at the moment of dehiscence, Tvhen the two 

 cavities, c c, separate by division of the septum, d d, so as to have'the appearance of distinct 

 carpels. At the apex are seen the seeds, g. Fig. 542. Inferior portion of the same cap- 

 sule cut transversely, to show the formation of the septum, formed hy the two inner 

 faces of the carpels, c c. pp, Placentaries reflected and projecting into the interior of the 

 cavities, g. Seeds. Fig. 543. Capsule {tricoccous regma) of Eicinus communis. Castor-oil 

 plant, at the moment of dehiscence. The three carpels or cocci, c,e c, are separated from 

 the axis, a, by which they were at first united [see fig. 549), and which remains in a colum- 

 nar ;form. These cocci begin to open by their dorsal suture, sd. Fig. 544. Capsule of 

 Iris opening by loculicidal dehiscence. Fig. 545. Capsule of Hibiscus esculentus, show- 

 ing loculicidal dehiscence, vvv, Waives of 'the seed-vessel, c. Septum or partition, g, 

 Seeds. Fig. 546. Capsule of Cedrela angustifolia, the valves of which, vvv, separate from 

 the septa, c c, by septifragal dehiscence. The separation takes place from above down- 

 wards, in such a manner that the axis, a, remains in the centre, with five projecting angles, 

 corresponding to the septa, g^ The seeds contained in the loculaments. 



