88 
CLASSIFICATION OF FRUITS. 
tacle, and has the seed fixed to it, all around. In one-celled cap¬ 
sules this is wanting. (For/the capsule, see Fig. 94.) 
2d. SiLiauE or Siliqua , is a two-valved pericarp or pod, with the 
seeds attached alternately to its opposite edge, as mustard and radish. 
The proper silique is two-celled, being furnished with a partition 
which runs the whole length of this kind of pericarp; there are 
some exceptions to this, as in the celandine. Silicle , (silicula , a 
little pod,) is distinguished by being shorter than the silique, as in 
the pepper-grass. This difference in the form of the silique and 
silicle, is the foundation of the distinction in the orders of the class 
Teir adynamia. / 
3d. Legume is a pericarp of two valves, with the seeds attached 
only to one suture , or seam, as the pea. In this circumstance it dif¬ 
fers from the silique, which has its seeds affixed to both sutures. The 
word pod is used in common language for both these species of pe¬ 
ricarp. Plants which produce the legume, are called leguminous. The 
greater number of these plants are in the class Biadelphia. The 
tamarind is a legume filled with pulp, in which the seeds are lodged, 
4-th. Follicle is a one-valved pericarp, which opens longitudinally 
on one side, having its seed loose within it; that is, not bound to the 
suture. We have examples of this in the dog’s-bane, ( Apocynum ,) 
which has a double follicle, and in the milk-weed, ( Asclepias .) 
5th. Drupe, (Fig. 101,) a stone fruit, is a kind of pericarp which 
has no valve, and contains a nut or stone, within which there is a 
kernel. The drupe is mostly a moist, succulent fruit, as in the plum, 
cherry, and peach. The nut or stone within the drupe, is a kind of 
woody cup, commonly containing a single kernel, called the nucleus; 
the hard shell, thus enveloping the kernel, is called the put amen ; the 
stone of a cherry or peach, may furnish an example. 
6th. Nut, is a seed covered with a shell resembling the capsule in 
some respects, and the drupe in others; as the walnut, chestnut, &c. 
7th. Pome, (Fig. 102,) is a pulpy pericarp without valves, but con¬ 
taining a membranous capsule, with a number of cells which con¬ 
tain the seeds. This species of pericarp has no external opening or 
valve. The apple, pear, quince, gourd, the cucumber and melon, 
furnish us with examples of this kind of pericarp. With respect to 
form, the pome is oblong , ovate , globular , &c., the form of fruits be¬ 
ing much varied by climate and soil. Every child knows that apples 
are not uniform in their size or figure; with respect to the number 
of cells also, the apple is variable. 
8th. Berry, (Fig. 104,) is a ^succulent, pulpy pericarp, without 
valves, and containing naked seeds, or seeds with no other covering 
than the pulp which surrounds them; the seeds in the berry are 
sometimes dispersed promiscuously through the pulpy substance, but 
are more generally placed upon receptacles within the pulp. A com¬ 
pound berry consists of several single berries, each containing a seed 
united together ; as in the mulberry, (Fig. 108.) Each of the sepa¬ 
rate parts is called an acinus , or grain. The orange and lemon are 
berries with a thick coat. There are some kinds of berries, usually 
so called, that, according to the botanical definition of a berry, seem 
scarce entitled to the name ; for the pulp is not properly a part of 
the fruit, but originates from some other organ. In the mulberry, the 
calyx becomes coloured and very juicy, surrounded by seeds like a 
real berry. What is commonly called the berry in - the strawberry, 
is but a pulpy receptacle studded with naked seeds. In the fig, the 
Silique—Legume—Follicle—Drupe—Nut—Pome- 
nus—Orange and lemon—Mulberry. 
-E 8i ry—C o mpouii d Berry—Aci- 
