52 AUSTRALIAN BOTANY. 



which the pericarp gradually becomes soft and juicy. The 

 apple, pear, orange, and gooseberry are also good examples 

 of succulent fruits. 



When a fruit is ripe, its sound seeds are perfect, and the 

 plant is ready to deliver them. In dehiscent fruits {dis- 

 charging seeds) the process is a simple one. Most people 

 have noticed the common garden or scarlet geranium 

 (Pelargonium), when its flowers have, as it is termed, ' run 

 to seed.' The seed-vessel bursts and curls up, ejecting the 

 seeds. In the wallflower another modification of this pro- 

 cess is found, and in the gum or Eucalyptus yet another. 

 As the great purpose of the fruit is the production and 

 protection of the seed for the reproduction of its species, 

 examination will show that it is dehiscent or indehiscent, 

 according as best suits the nature of the seed which it 

 contains. 



Fruits generally dehisce or scatter their seeds in one of 

 three ways : — 



i. By valves, opening along the lines of the sutures 

 (joints), as in the pod of a pea (see fig. E, p. 5). Such 

 dehiscence is termed valvular. 



2. By an operculum (lid or cap) which falls off and leaves 

 the lower part covered, as in the fruit of the 'common 

 purslane' (Portulaca oleracea), pimpernel, henbane, plan- 

 tain, and some mosses (Musci). Circumcissile is the word 

 used to indicate this mode of dehiscence. 



3. By pores, as in the poppy, termed porous dehiscence. 

 A number of sub-divisions of the above also exist. 

 Subjoined is a list of the principal kinds of fruits, which 



should be procured when possible for examination and 

 comparison : — 



