FRUIT. 
103 
11th. Spadix , is an assemblage of flowers growing upon a com- 
mon receptacle, and surrounded by a spatha or sheatli, as 
in the Egyptian lily.* 
The receptacle is the extremity of the peduncle ; at first it 
supports the flower, and afterwards the fruit. As this is its only 
use, it may properly be considered in connexion with the organs 
of fructification. In simple flowers as the tulip, the receptacle 
is scarcely to be distinguished from the peduncle, but in com- 
pound flowers it is expanded and furnishes a support for the 
flowers and fruit. Receptacles arc of various kinds ; as, 
1st. Proper, supports but one flower, as in the violet and lily. 
2nd. Common, supports many flowers or florets, the assemblage 
of which forms an aggregate or compound flower, as in the 
sunflower and dandelion. The common receptacle pre- 
sents a great variety of forms ; it is either dry or pulpy : it is 
concave in the artichoke : convex, in other plants ; fat in the 
sunflower, conical in some, and spherical in others. As 
to its surface, it is punctate , or interspersed with hollow 
points or dots, as in the daisy, hairy as in the thistle, naked 
as in the dandelion, or chaffy as in the chamomile. 
2d. Rachis is the filiform receptacle which connects the florets 
in a spike, as in the heads of wheat. 
4lh. Columella, the central column in fruit, to which the seeds 
arc attached, this may be seen in an orange or an apple. 
The filament which supports the flowers in a rudiment is a 
receptacle. 
5th. The Spadix, is a club -shaped receptacle proceeding from a 
spathe, as in indian turnip. 
The fruit is composed of two principal parts, the pericarp 
and seed. The term pericarp is derived from peri around, and 
karpos seed or fruit ; it signifies surrounding the seed. All 
that in any fruit which is not the seed belongs to the pericarp. 
Let us now inquire into the progress of the fruit from its first 
appearance in the germ of the pistil to its maturer state. When 
you analyze a flower you often find it necessary to ascertain the 
number of cells contained in the germ. In making this exam- 
*The student should consult plate VII. which exhibits the different forms 
of inflorescence, and compare each with the written description. 
Spadix — Receptacle — Different receptacles — Fruit, two principal parts — 
Derivation and signification of the word pericarp — 
RECEPTACLE. 
THE FRUIT. 
