58 



FAMILIAR LESSONS IN BOTANY. 



138. The pericarp is divided into three parts, the epicarp, 



or outer part, which in a fully 

 ripe peach can be removed 

 with your finger, as it sepa- 

 rates easily from the next 

 larger or middle portion, 

 Avhich you eat, the sarcocarp. 

 In the interior lies the euclo- 

 car}), the stony seed. 



139. "When the ripened fruit remains closed after full 

 maturity, it is said to be indehiscent, and when it bursts, 

 dehiscent. Acorns, persimmons, haws, etc., are indehiscent. 



Pericarp. 



Sarcocarp. 



Endocarp. 



Fig. 95. 



while peas, beans, okra, balsams, etc., are dehiscent. 



140. The valves of a pericarp are the divisions or sides 

 of the seed vessels. A pericarp without these divisions is 

 univalved, as the chinquapin, buckeye, olive, etc. If it is 

 separated into two, it is a bivalve (Fig. 96). If it separates 

 into three, like the violet, it is trivaJved (Fig. 97). The 



Fig. 96. 



Fig. 97. 



Jamestown weed has four, and therefore is said to be qua- 

 drivalved. Before the fruit is fully ripe, the valves are 

 joined together, and the line of union is called a suture 

 or seam. 



138. How many parts has the pericarp? What is the epicarp? The sarco- 

 cai-p? The endocarp ? In the peach, which is the first ? Second? Third? 



139. When the ripened fruit remains closed, what is it said to be ? When it 

 opens ? 



1 40. What are the valves ? When dnided into three cells? ? Into four? How 

 are the valves in partially ripe fruit ? What are the lines of connection called ? 



