96 . FRtJiT. 



holes thus formed for the emission of the seed, as in Cam- 

 panula. An aril is an enlargement of the placenta, occur- 

 ing after the impregnation of the ovule, and forming, in some 

 cases, an additional envelop for the seed, as in the Euonymus. 

 Mace is an aril surrounding^the Nutmeg. When the two su- 

 tures separate from the valves they form a kind of frame call- 

 ed repliun. 



114. The subject of carpology, or the classification of 

 fruit is in a very confused state. Not less than six or eight 

 systems have been proposed to the world since the days of 

 LinucEus. Very little care is manifested by many botanists 

 in their descriptions of plants in using carpclogical terms. 

 No deiinite idea seems to be attached to them in numer- 

 ous cases, and they are often applied in a manner by no means 

 appropriate, and of which the authors seem not to be aware 

 of their real meaning or extension. It seems to us of prime 

 importance, that some system should be adopter], and that it 

 should be universally used by Descriptive Botanists. The 

 system proposed by Professor Lindley seems to us least objec- 

 tionable, as it is an improvement on all preceding systems, and 

 old term.s are strictly defined and limited. Coming from such a 

 source, it will no doubt receive the approval of all who have 

 no other object than that of Boiany to advance by their efforts 

 in this field. It seems certainly to be founded on fixed prin- 

 ciples, and little more can be expected than what is now ac- 

 complished in this interesting department of Botany, and to 

 get it introduced with accuracy is all that is to be desired. 



Professor Lindley divides fruit into four classes. 



Class 1. APOCARPI. Fruit simple, 

 Ovaria strictly simple ; a single series only produced by each 



flower. 



1. JJtriculus, one celled, one or few'seeded, superior, mem- 

 branous, frequently dehiscent by a transverse incision. 



Examples. Amaranthus, Chenopodium. 



2. Achaenium one-seeded, one-celled, superior, indehiscent, 

 hard and dry with the integuments of the seed distinct from it. 



Examples. Lithospermum, B'.n'ago. 



1 24 jHHI^^S^IL. ^' ^^'^P^ o"^ celled, one or two seeded, 



superior, indehiscent, the outer coat soft 

 and fleshy, sei)arable from the endocarp, 

 which is hard and bony, proceeding from 

 an ovarv, which is perfectly simple, fig- 

 124. 



Examples, Peach, Plum, Apricot. 



