CHAP. ir. 
FRUIT. 
193 
halves held together by a common permanent suture. Cru- 
ciferae. Silicula is a small form of the same. 
11. Legumen^ a dry elongated pericarp, consisting of two 
halves or valves externally forming two sutures. Legu- 
minosae. 
12. Lomentum^ a legumen divided internally by spurious 
dissepiments, not dehiscing longitudinally, but either remain- 
ing always closed, as Cassia Fistula, or separating into pieces 
at transverse contractions along its length, as Ornithopus. 
The following are enumerated as spurious fruits. 
13. Strobilus, an Amentum the scales of which have be- 
come woody. Pmus. 
14. Spurious capsule. Fagus, Rumex, Carex. 
15. Spurious nut. Trapa, Coix, Mirabilis. 
16. Spurious drupe. Taxus, Anacardium, Semecarpus. 
17. Spurious hacca. Juniperus, Fragaria, Basella. 
By this author the names of fruits are, perhaps, more loosely 
and inaccurately applied than by any other. 
Link objects to applying particular names to variations in 
anatomical structure ; observing, " that botanists have strayed 
far from the right road in distinguishing these terms by cha- 
racters which are precise and difficult to seize. Terms are 
only applied to distinct parts, as the leaf, peduncle, calyx, and 
stamens, and not to modifications of them. Who has ever 
thought of giving a distinct name to a labiate or papilionaceous 
corolla, or who to a pinnated leaf?" But this sort of reason- 
ing is of little value if it is considered that the fruit is subject 
to infinitely greater diversity of structure than any other organ, 
and that names for these modifications have become necessary, 
for the sake of avoiding a minute explanation of the complex 
differences upon which they depend. Besides, to admit, as 
Link actually does, such names as capsula, &c. is abandoning 
the argument ; and when the following definitions, which this 
learned botanist has proposed, are considered, I think that 
little doubt need exist as to whether terms should be employed 
in the manner recommended by himself, or with the minute 
accuracy of the French. According to Professor Link, the 
following are the limits of Carpological nomenclature : — 
1. Capsula, any dry membranous or coriaceous pericarp. 
o 
