84 
mirbel's classification of fkuits. 
in one family of plants are often formed upon a model which can admit of eu}teriot 
modifications, and still preserve unaltered the essential characters of the infernav 
structure. But the actual state of science does not warrant a classification foundec 
on characters so important but so obscure, and better fitted to enlighten the learnec 
Physiologist than to assist the student in Descriptive Botany.'"* Mirbel has giver 
a simple arrangement of fruits, which, in its essential features, Ave shall follow. 
a. Phenogamous plants, in respect to theu- fruits, are divided into two classes 
1st, Gymnocarpes, which include all such as are not masked, cr covered by any 
organ which conceals their true character. 2d, Angiocarpes, which include all fruite 
covered by any organ which disguises them from observation. 
89. Synopsis of MirbeVs Orders and Genera of Pericnrps. 
CLASS L 
Gymnocarpes— /rwif nakcd,or pericarps without foliaceous envelopes. 
Order 1. Carcerulares, simple fruits, remaining closed. 
Cypsela ; Ex., dandelion. 
Genera 
•{i 
npl 
I- 
corn, wheat, 
buckwheat, elm. 
Cerion 
Cavcerula ; 
Crder 2. Capsulares, simple fruits, which open at maturity. 
Capsule; Tlx., pink, lily, poppy. 
p 1*. Legume; '* bean, pen. 
uenera, -| g gjii^jug si[ic\e ; " mustard, wall-Jlower. 
\A. Pyxides; " carrot. 
Ordkr 3. DiERESiliiA, simple fruits, which divide into many parts when ripe. 
(\. Cremocarp; Ex., coriander. 
Genera, < 2. Regmates ; " euphorbia, althea. 
l_3. Dieresil; " galium. 
Order 4. Etaironnair, compound fruits, proceeding from an ovary to which the style adheres, 
p, ^ J L Follicle ; Ex. dsclepias. 
enera, ^ Etairon ; " ranunculus, larkspur. 
Order 5. Cenobionnairks, compound fruits, proceeding' rom an ovary not bearing the style. 
Genera, ■{ Cenobiuin ; Ex., sage, borage. 
Order 6. Drupaces, simple fruits, contained in a nut. 
Genera, ^ Drupe ; Ex., cherry, almond, cocoanut. 
Order 7. Baccati, simple, succulent fruits, containing many separate seeds. 
fL Pyridion; Ex., apple., pear. 
Genera, ■< 2. Pepo; " cucumber family. 
\^ 3. Dacca ; '* asparagus, coffee, whortleberry 
CLASS IL 
Angiocarpes— /rwiis covered by bracts or foliaceous envelopes. 
No Division of Order, 
f L Calybion ; Ex., chestnut, 
r, 1 2. Strobilum ; " pine, cedar, hop. 
Genera, ^3 g^^^^^ . 
L 4. Sorose ; *' mulberry, pineapple 
CLASS I. GTMNOCAKPES. 
Fruits not covered by amj bracts or foliaceous envelopes. 
90. Order 1st. Carcerulares (from career, a prison), simple fruits, without 
valves, and which never open spontaneously. This order includes the fruits ol 
Syngenesious plants, of the grasses, (fee. 
1st. Cypsela (or achsenium; from Tcupsele, a box). This psricarp is one-celled, one- 
seeded, adliering; the seed is erect, with the radicle pouiting to the hilum ; it is 
tnonocephalous, and crowned by the border of the calyx, prolonged in scales, or an 
egret. It is woody, membraneous, or succulent. This fruit is found in Syngenesious 
* Translated from Siemens de Physiologic vegetale et de Botaniqne. Par C. F. Brisskau Mir- 
BKL, de I' Institute de France. 
a. Into what two classes has Mirbel divided fruits ?— 88. Synops s of Mirbel'* classes, orders, and 
genera of fruits.— 90. Describe the order Carcerulares, with the genera here founn 
