STKrCTURE OF THE FRUIT. 



427 



pericarp, seed-capsule, or case. As a rule this structure is kno\vn to Botanists as 

 the frui^, though this designation is open to criticism. In the broad sense the fruit 

 in Phanerogams should include ever\-thiQg which undergoes alteration after fertili- 

 zation either in the flower or flowering axis. All these changes take place in the 

 parts in question for the purpose of promoting the interests of the embryo, and 

 properlr equipping it when the time comes for its severance from the parent plant, 

 consequently the whole of the structures which participate ia this object should be 

 regarded as the fruit. From this point of view the seed-case or pericarp (derived 

 from the pistil) constitutes only a portion of the fruit. Since, however, the seed- 



ilg. 322. — Indehiscent fmits and schizocarps. 



1 Dnipaeeous Xnt of Pumaria, - The same in longitudinal seerion. s Indehiscent fruit of Cailitriihe 

 tndinal section s Schizocarp of Fasnieulum aromaticum. 5 Schizocarp of PetrostXinum latirum. 

 (am. All the fig5_ enlarged. (After EaQlon.) 



4 The same in longi- 

 Sehizocarp of Carujn 



case in a very large number of cases approximates to and essentially constitutes the 

 whole frmt, we will not press our quarrel with the descriptive botanists to the point 

 of pedantry, but having made our protest fall into line with the usual terminology. 

 Types of Fruit. — When the seed-case derived from the pistil becomes altogether 

 fleshy and succulent, the fruit is termed a Berry. From inferior pistils arise inferior 

 berries. From superior pistils superior berries. The berries of the Bitter-sweet 

 {Solanum Dulcamara.), of the Deadly Xightshade (Atropa Belladonna), of the 

 Barberry (.Ber6em vidgaris), and of the Vine (F2Yj.s vinifera) are superior; those 

 01 the Mistletoe (Yiscunn album), and of the Gooseberry (Rihes Grosgaiaria) are 

 inienor. The berry of the Mezereon {Da.phne Mezereum) is also superior, but is 



