MIRBEL’S CLASSIFICATION OF FRUITS. 
89 
whole fruit is a juicy calyx, or common receptacle, containing in 
its cavity innumerable florets, each of which has a proper calyx of 
its own, which becoming pulpy invests the seed, (Fig. 107.) The pa¬ 
per mulberry of China is an intermediate genus between the mul¬ 
berry and fig, resembling a fig laid open, but without any pulp in the 
common receptacle. 
9th. Strobilum, (Fig. 105,) is a catkin or ament hardened and en¬ 
larged into a seed vessel, as in the pine; this is called an aggregate 
or compound pericarp. In the most perfect examples of this kind of 
fruit, the seeds are closely enveloped by the scales, as by a capsule. 
The Strobilum is of various forms, as conical , oblong , round , or ovate. 
The intelligent student will now perceive how much instruction 
may be derived from the study of the various kinds of fruits. And., 
although the rich gifts of God in this department , of nature may be 
partaken of by the creatures of his bounty, with the relish which he 
kindly enables us to enjoy, still we cannot but feel, that in the enjoy¬ 
ment arising from the philosophical contemplation of these His 
works, there is an exercise of higher and nobler faculties. The ex¬ 
ternal sense is “of the earth, earthy,” the mental enjoyment may be 
shared with us by angels. The blessedness of heaven, we have rea¬ 
son to believe, will in part consist in studying and admiring the wis¬ 
dom of Ood 4 as displayed in the works of his hand. 
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MIRBEL’S CLASSIFICATION OF FRUITS, OR PERICARPS. 
The following classification of fruits, by one of the most eminent 
botanists of the age, is given for the more advanced pupil. It is not 
introduced as being a part of the elements of Botany. The teacher 
will do well, therefore, to pass over the remainder of this lecture, 
leaving the pupil to read it at leisure, or to study it in the course of 
a reviewing lesson. 
Mirbel has divided the fruits of all phenogamous plants into tw^o 
classes ; 1st, Gymnocarpes , which include all such as are not masked 
or covered by any organ, which conceals their true character. 2d, 
Angiocarpes , which include all fruits covered by any organ, which 
disguises them from observation. 
O •• \ 
CLASS I. GYMNOCARPES. 
Fruits not covered. 
Order 1st. Carcerulares, (from career , a prison,) simple fruits, 
without valves, and which never open spontaneously. This order 
includes the fruits of syngenesious plants , of the grasses , &c. 
Cypsela* (from Kupselion^ a cof¬ 
fer.) The pericarp is one-celled, 
one-seeded, adhering; the seed is 
erect, with the radicle pointing to 
the hilum ; it is monocephalous : and 
crowned by the border of the calyx, 
prolonged in scales, in ridges, or an 
egret. Figure 93 represents a peri¬ 
carp of this genus ; it is of the syn¬ 
genesious family; the pericarp (a) 
is turbinate, (shaped like a top;) its 
surface is pubescent and furrowed • 
Fig. 93 
* This is the achenium , or acine , of some writers. 
.Strawberry—Fig—Paper mulberry—Strobilum—Into what two classes has Mirbel 
divided fruits 1 —Describe the order Carcerulares—Describe the genus Cypsela,. 
8 * 
