Terminology in Fruit Description

words, in order that the meaning attached by those authors to carpo- logical terms, when employed by themselves, may be clearly understood. In the phraseology of writers antecedent to Linneus, the srrvctureE.] OLD WRITERS—LINNEUS—G2&RTNER. 9 following are the only terms of this description employed ; . Bacca, a berry : any fleshy fruit. . Acinus, a bunch of fleshy fruit : especially a bunch of grapes. Cachrys, a cone: as of the pine tree. Pilula, a cone like the Galbulus of modern botanists. . Foiliculus (Fuchs), any kind of capsule. . Grossus, the fruit of the fig unripe. . Siliqua, the coating of any fruit. In his Philosophia Botanica, Linnzxvus gives the following definitions of the terms he employs :— 1. Capsula, hollow, and dehiscing in a determinate manner. 2. Siliqua, two-valved, with the seeds attached to both sutures. 3. Legumen, two-valved, with the seeds attached to one suture only. . Conceptaculum, one-valved, opening longitudinally on one side, and distinct from the seeds. Drupa, fleshy, without valves, containing a nut. + Pomum, fleshy, without valves, containing a capsule. . Bacca, fleshy, without valves, containing naked seeds. . Strobilus, an amentum converted into a pericarp. Gezrrner has the following, with definitions annexed to them:— . 1. Capsula, a dry, membranous, coriaceous, or woody pericarp, sometimes valveless, but more commonly dehiscing with valves. Its varieties are,— a. Utriculus,a unilocular one-seeded capsule, very thin and transparent, and constantly valvular; as in Cheno- podium, Atriplex, Adonis. b. Samara, an indehiscent, winged, onc- or two-celled cap- sule ; as Ulmus, Acer, Liriodendron. c. Folliculus, a double one-celled, one-valved, membranous, coriaceous capsule, dehiscing on the inside, and either pearing the sced on each margin of its suture, or ona receptacle common to both margins; as Asclepias, Cinchona, and Vinca. 2. Nuc, a hard pericarp, either indehiscent or never dividing into more than two valves; as in Nelumbium, Boragi- ne, and Anacardium. ROA woe S onan 10 GERTNER—WILLDENOW. [poox 1. 8. Coccum, a pericarp of dry elastic pieces or coccules, as in Diosma, Dictamnus, Euphorbia. 4. Drupa, an indehiscent pericarp with a variable rind, very different in substance from the putamen, which is bony, as in Lantana, Cocos, Sparganium, Gaura, &. 5. Bacca, any soft pericarp, whether succulent or otherwise ; provided it does not dehisce into regular valves, nor con- tain a single stone adhering to it. Of this the following are kinds :— a. Acinus, a soft, succulent, semi-transparent, unilocular berry, with one or two hard seeds; as the Grape, Rivina, Rhipsalis, Rubus, Grossularia, &e. b. Pomum, a succulent or fleshy, two- or many-celled berry, the dissepiments of which are fleshy or bony, and coherent at the axis; as Pyrus, Cratwegus, Cydo- nia, Sapota, and others. ‘ c. Pepo, a fleshy berry, with the seeds attached at a dis- tance from the axis, upon the parietes of the peri- carp; as Cucumis, Stratiotes, Passiflora, Vareca, and others. To the term bacca, all other succulent fruits are referred which do not belong to Acinus, Pomum, or Pepo; as Garcinia, Caryophyllus, Cucubalus, Hedera. 6. Legumen, the fruit of Leguminosz. 7. Siliqua and Silicula, the fruit of Cruciferee. Witipenow defines those employed by him in the follow- ing manner :— - 1. Utriculus, a thin skin enclosing a single seed. Adonis, Galium, Amaranthus. 2. Samara, a pericarp containing one seed, or at most two, and surrounded by a thin membrane, either along its whole circumference, or at the point, or even at the side. Ulmus, Acer, Betula. 3. Folliculus, an oblong pericarp bursting longitudinally on one side, and filled with seeds. Vinca. 4, Capsula, a pericarp consisting of a thin coat containing many seeds, often divided into cells, and assuming various forms. Silene, Primula, Scrophularia, Euphor- bia, Magnolia. STRUCTURE.] WILLDENOW. 11 5. Nux, a seed covered with a hard shell which does not burst. Corylus, Quercus, Cannabis. 6. Drupa, a nut covered with a thick succulent or cartilagi- nous coat. Prunus, Cocos, Tetragonia, Juglans, Myris- tica, Sparganium. 7. Bacca, a succulent fruit containing several seeds, and not dehiscing. It encloses the seeds without any determi- nate order, or it is divided by a thin membrane into cells. Ribes, Garcinia, Hedera, Tilia. Rubus has a compound bacca. 8. Pomum, a fleshy fruit that internally contains a capsule for the seed. It differs from the celled berry in having a perfect capsule in the heart. Pyrus. 9. Pepo, a succulent fruit which has its seeds attached to the inner surface of the rind. Cucumis, Passiflora, Stratiotes. 10. Siliqua, a dry elongated pericarp consisting of two valves held together by a common permanent suture. Cruci- fers. Silicula is a small form of the same. 11. Legumen, a dry elongated pericarp consisting of two valves externally forming two sutures. Leguminosz. 12. Lomentum, a legumen divided internally by spurious dissepiments, not dehiscing longitudinally, but either remaining always closed, as in Cathartocarpus fistula, or separating into pieces at transverse contractions along its length, as in Ornithopus. The following are enumerated as spurious fruits :— 18. Strobilus, an amentum the scales of which have become woody. Pinus. 14, Spurious capsule. Fagus, Rumex, Carex. 15. Spurious nut. Trapa, Coix, Mirabilis. 16. Spurious drupe. Taxus, Anacardium, Semecarpus. 17. Spurious bacca. Juniperus, Fragaria, Basella. . By this author the names of fruits are, perhaps, more loosely and inaccurately applied than by any other. Linx 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 characters which are precisc and difficult to seize. Terms are 12 LINK. [poox 1. 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 papiliona- ceous corolla, or who to a pinnated leaf?” But this reasoning loses its value, when it is considered that the fruit is subject to infinitely greater diversity of structure than any other organ, and that names for these modifications are useful, 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 will 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 nomen- clature :— 1. Capsula, any dry, membranous, or coriaceous, pericarp. 2. Capsella, the same, if small and one-seeded. 8. Nua, externally hard. 4. Nucula, externally hard, small, and one-seeded. 5. Drupa, externally soft, internally hard. 6. Pomum, fleshy or succulent, and large. 7. Bacca, fleshy or succulent, and small. 8. Bacca sicca, fleshy when unripe, dry when ripe, and then distinguishable from the capsule by not being brown. 9. Legumen, 10. Siliqua, } the pericarps of certain natural orders. 11. Amphispermium, a pericarpium which is of the same figure as the seed it contains. In more recent times there have been three principal attempts at classing and naming the different modifications of fruit; namely, those of Richard, Mirbel, and Desvaux. These writers have all distinguished a considerable number of variations, of which it is important to be aware for some purposes, although their nomenclature is not much employed in practice. But, in proportion as the utility of a classifica- tion of fruit consists in its theoretical explanation of structure STRUCTURE. ] RICHARD—MIRBEL. 13 rather than in a strict applicability to practice, it becomes important that it should be founded upon characters which are connected with internal and physiological distinctions rather than with external and arbitrary forms. Viewing the subject thus, it is not to be concealed, that, notwithstanding the undoubted experience and talent of the writers just mentioned, their carpological systems are essentially defective. Besides this, each of the three writers has felt himself justi- fied in contriving a nomenclature at variance with that of his predecessors, for reasons which it is difficult to compre- hend. If a complete carpological nomenclature is to be established, it ought to be carried farther than has yet been done, and to depend upon principles of a more strictly theoretical character. Thave accordingly ventured to propose an arrangement, in which an attempt has been made to adjust the synonymes of carpological writers, and in which the names that seem to be most legitimate are retained in every case, their definitions only being altered ; previously to which I shall briefly explain the methods of Richard, Mirbel, and Desvaux. Tus ARRANGEMENT or RicHarp. Class 1. Simple fruits. $1. Dry. * Indehiscent. * * Dehiscent. § 2. Fleshy. Class 2. Multiplied fruits. Class 3. Aggregate or compound fruits. Tue ArrancemMent oF Mrrpet. Class 1. Gymnocarpians. Fruit not disguised by the ad- herence of any other organ than the calyx. Ord. 1. Carcerular. Pericarpium indehiscent, but sometimes with apparent sutures, generally dry, superior or inferior, mostly unilocular and mono- spermous, sometimes plurilocular and polysper- mous. 4 DESVAUX. [Book 1. Ord. 2. Capsular. Pericarpium dry, superior, or infe- rior, opening by valves, but never separating into distinct pieces or cocci. Ord. 8. Dieresilian. Pericarpium superior or inferior, dry, regular, and monocephalous (that is, having one common style), composed of several distinct pieces arranged systematically round a central real” or imaginary axis, and separating at maturity. Ord. 4. Eterionar. Pericarps several, irregular, superior, one- or many-seeded, with a suture at the back. Ord. 5. Cenodionar. A regular fruit divided to the base into several acephalous pericarpia; that is to say, not marked on the summit by the stigmatic sear, the style having been inserted at their base. Ord. 6. Drupaceous. Pericarpium indehiscent, fleshy externally, bony internally. Ord. 7. Baccate. Succulent, many-seeded. Class 2. Angiocarpians. Fruit seated in envelopes not form- ing part of the calyx. Tue ArrancEement or Dzsvaux. Class 1. Pericarpium dry. Ord. 1. Simple fruits. § Indehiscent. § § Dehiscent. Ord, 2. Dry compound fruits. Class 2. Pericarpium fleshy. Ord. 1. Simple fruits. Ord. 2. Compound fruits. In explanation of the principles upon which the classifica- tion of fruit which I now venture to propose is founded, it will of course be expected that I should offer some observa- tions. In the first place, I have made it depend primarily upon the structure of the ovary, by which the fruit is of necessity influenced in a greater degree than by anything structure] PRINCIPLES OF SUCH CLASSIFICATIONS. 15 else, the fruit itself being only the ovary matured. In using the terms simple and compound, I have employed them precisely in the sense that has been attributed to them in my remarks upon the ovary ; being of opinion that, in an arrange- ment like the following and those which have preceded it, in which theoretical rather than practical purposes are to be served, the principles on which it depends should be con- formable to the strictest theoretical rules of structure. A consideration of the fruit, without reference to the ovary, necessarily induces a degree of uncertainty as to the real nature of the fruit; the abortion and obliteration to which almost every part of it is more or less subject, often disguising it to such a degree that the most acute carpologist would be unable to determine its true structure, from an examination of it in a ripe state only. In simple fruits are stationed those forms in which the ovarics are multiplied so as to resemble a compound fruit in every respect except their cohesion, they remaining simple. But, as the passage which is thus formed from simple to compound fruits is deviated from materially when the ovaries are placed in more than a single series, I have found it advisable to constitute a particular class of such, under the name of aggregate fruit. Care must be taken not to confound these with the fourth class containing collective fruits, as has been done by more carpologists than one. While the true aggregate fruit is produced by the ovaries of a single flower, a collective fruit, if aggregate, is produced by the ovaries of many flowers ; 2 most important difference. As the pericarp is. necessarily much affected by the calyx when the two adhere so as to form a single body, it is indispensable, if a clear idea is to be attached to the genera of carpology, that inferior and superior fruits should not be confounded under the same name: for this reason I have in all cases founded a distinction upon that character. In order to facilitate the knowledge of the limits of the genera of carpology, the following analytical table will be found convenient for reference. It. is succeeded by the characters of the genera in as much detail as is necessary for « Mthe perfect understanding of their application. 16 AUTHOR'S METHOD. [00x 1. Ctass I. Fruit simple. APOCARPI. One- or two-seeded : Membranous, e ; 2 3 . Usricutus. Dry and bony, 5 J .. Achaxtum. Fleshy externally, bony internally, 5 + Drvra. Many-seoded : Dehiscent : One-valved, . ‘ ‘ +. Fouuicunvs. Two-valved, 5 : , . Leoumen. Indehiscent, . * 5 : + + Lomenrum. Crass I, Fruit aggregate. AGGREGATI. Ovaria elevated above the calyx : Pericarpia distinct, 7" . Erario. Pericarpia cohering into a solid mass, . .. S¥NcaRPrUM. Ovaria enclosed within the fleshy tube of the calyx, . CyNnarrHopum. Crass IIT. Fruit compound. SYNCARPI. Sect. 1. Superior : A. Pericarpium dry externally : Indehiscent : One-celled, § : : + Carvorsis, Many-celled : Dry internally : Apterous, . 5 + + Carcervius, Winged, . @ 5 + SAMARA, Pulpy internally, . . +. Amputsarca. Dehiscent : By a transverse suture, b . Pyxrprom, By clastic eocei, ‘ . . Reoma, By a longitndinal suture, . - « CoxcePracuLum. By valves :. Placenta opposite the lobes of the stigma : Linear, : » + Smaqua, Roundish, : + Stuicvza. Placenta alternate with the lobes of the stigma : Valves separating from the replum, Crrarrom. Replum none, ++ CAPSULA. B. Pericarpium fleshy : Indehiscent : Sarcocarpium separable, : . Hesperiprom, _ Sarcocarpium inseparable, : +. Nucvraxtum. Dehiscent, : : a + Tryma. Sect, 2. Inferior : A. Pericarpium dry : Indehiscent : Cells two or more,. : . CREMocaRrium. sTRucTURE] AUTHOR'S METHOD. Ly, Cell one + Surrounded by a cupulate involucrum, Guays. Destitute of a cupula, +e CYPSELA. Dehiscent or rupturing, : . Dirorecia. B, Pericarpium fleshy : Epicarpium hard : Seeds parietal, ‘ ‘ . » Pero. Seeds not parictal, 7 3 . Batausra. Epicarpium soft : Cells obliterated, or unilocular, .. Bacca. Cells distinct, 2 ‘ . Pomum. Cass 1V. Collective fruits, ANTHOCARPI. Single : Perianthum indurated, dry, . : ». Dicurstum. Perianthum fleshy, . : . . + SPHALEROCAR- Aggregate : piu. Hollow, - r : : . .. Sycous. Convex : ‘Au indurated amentum, : . . Srovies. A succulent spike, ' i + Sorosis. 196, Synearpous Capsule of Euonymus. 137. Apocarpous Capsule of Nigella. 138. Legumen. 189. Legumen with the two valves opened. 140, Folliculus, 141. Conceptaculum, or . Double Folliculus. 142. Apocarpous Capsule of Delphinium. 143. Capsule of Lychnis. 144, Capsule of Lychnis cut through, and showing the free central placenta. Ciass I, Fruit simple. APOCARPI. Ovaria strictly simple ; a single series only produced by a single flower. I. Urnicutus, Gertner. (Cystidium, Link.) One-celled, one- or few-seeded, superior, membranous, frequently dehiscent ‘by a transverse incision. This differs from the pysridium in texture, being * ® strictly simple, i. ¢. not proceeding from an ovarium with obliterated dissepiments, Example, Amaranthus, Chenopodium. VOL, Il. c 18 AUTHOR’S METHOD. [poox 1. Tl, Acuanrom. (Akenium, of many ; Spermidium ; Xylodium, Desv. ; The- cidium, Mirb. ; Nux, Linn.) One-seeded, one-celled, superior, indehiscent, hard, dry, with the integu- ments of the seed distinct from it. Linnzeus includes this among his seeds, defining it “ semen tectum epider- mide ossed,” I have somewhere seen it named Spermidium ; a good term if it were wanted, M. Desvaux calls the nut of Anacardium a Xylodium, Examples. Lithospermum, Borago. IIT, Drura, Drupe. jig. 165. One-celled, one- or two-sceded, superior, indehiscent, the outer coat (nau- cwm) soft and fleshy, and separable from the inner or endocarpium (the stone), which is hard and bony ; proceeding from an ovarium which is perfectly simple. ‘This is the strict definition of the term drupa, which cannot strietly be applied to any compound fruit, as that of Cocos, certain Verbenacem, and others, as it often is. Fruits of the last description are generally earcerules with a drupaceous coat. ‘The stone of this fruit is the Nua of Richard, but not of others, Examples. Peach, Plum, Apricot. IV. Fouucunvs. Follicle. (Hemigyrus, Desvaux ; Plopocarpium, Desv.) Jig. Wl. One-celled, one- or many-seeded, one-valyed, superior, dehiscent by a suture along its face, and bearing its seeds at the base, or on each margin of the suture, ‘This differs from the legumen in nothing but its having one valve instead of two. ‘The Hemigyrus of Desvaux is the frnit of Proteacer, and differs from the follicle in nothing of importance. When several follicles are in a single flower, as in Nigella and Delphinium, they constitute a form of fruit called Plopocarpium by Desvaux, and admitted into his Eterio by Mirbel. Examples. Peonia, Banksia, Nigella. V. Lroumex. Pod. (Legumen, Linn, ; Gousse, Fr.) fig. 138, 139, One-celled, one- or many-seeded, two-valved, superior, dehiscent by a suture along both its face and its back, and bearing its seeds on each margin of the ventral suture. This differs from the follicle in nothing except its dehiseing by two valves. In Astragalus two spurious cells are formed by the projection inwards of either the dorsal or ventral suture, which forms a sort of dissepi- ment ; and in Cassia a great number of transverse diaphragms (phragmata) are formed by projections of the placenta, Sometimes the legumen isindehis- cent, asin Cathartocarpus, Cassia fistula, and others; but the line of dehiscence is in such species indicated by the presence of sutures. When the two sutures of the legumen separate from the valves, they form a kind of frame called replum, as in Carmichaclia. Examples, Bean, Pea, Clover. VI. Louexrum. (Legumen lomentaccum, Rich.) Differs from the legumen in being contracted in the spaces between such seed, and there separating into distinct picces; or indchiscent, but divided by