which consists of two valves, united by two sutures, and having the seeds connected to one suture only.

On examining the pericarp of honesty something more than this is found. It apparently seems, like the Legume, to consist of two valves; but on separating these, a third layer presents itself lying between them, so that besides the two valves there is also the intermediate partition (e), Fig. 78. To the

The

latter the seeds are attached, and therefore, it is the receptacle, and you may observe that they are attached to both sutures or edges, and not to one only as in the Legume. This will give a general idea of the SILIQUA, which is a bivalve pericarp, having the seeds attached to both sutures. intermediate receptacle is generally present, but is not essential, and therefore in some siliquose plants it is wanting. When this pericarp is long, as in wallflower, it is a silique; when its breadth is equal, or nearly equal to its length, it is a silicle; the pericarp of honesty, therefore, is of the latter description, it is a silicle not a silique.

DRUPA, a Drupe, or stone-fruit. A pericarp

without valves, containing a nut or stone, in which is a kernel. It is generally pulpy as in the plum, peach, and cherry; in the almond and walnut it is dry, and in the cocoa-nut, fibrous.

POмUM, a Pome, or Apple. A pulpy pericarp, containing, not a stone, but a capsule.

The husky part in the centre of a pear or apple, which is called the heart or core, is a membranaceous capsule, of five cells, in which are contained the pippins or seeds. The pulp surrounding this capsule is the part which we eat.

BACCA, a Berry. "A succulent or pulpy pericarp or fruit, without valves, containing naked seeds."

Cut an orange or a lemon in two, and you will find its seeds, neither in a stone like the cherry, nor a capsule as in the apple, but lying naked in the pulp. The orange and lemon therefore are berries; so are the gooseberry and currant; "and also,” perhaps you might say, "the strawberry ;" — give this fruit however a moment's attention, and you will discover that it is not a berry, for its seeds instead of being immersed in the pulp, are placed on it. It is in reality a large, soft, coloured, deciduous, common receptacle bearing the seeds, which are the dots that render the surface of the strawberry so beautiful. Fig. 79. (a)

The blackberry, on the contrary, is a true berry, but being composed of many smaller ones joined

* Martyn.

together is a BACCA composita, or compound berry. Each of these small ones contains a seed, and is named an acinus. Fig. 79. (b)

Spurious or false berries occur in several plants, the calyx or corolla becoming of a fleshy consistence, and investing the seeds. *

STROBILUS, a Strobile, or Cone.

A pericarp composed of the hardened scales of an amentum, as the cones of the pine-tribe; such as the larch, the Scotch fir, &c.

*For a variety of examples, see Smith's Introduction, p. 217. and Willdenow's Principles of Botany, p. 117.

227

CHAPTER VIII.

OF THE NECTARY.

We have now taken a pretty comprehensive view of the different parts composing a plant, but still another remains the NECTARY. No species, perhaps, either of plant or animal is made for itself alone; and hence, as vegetables produce a superabundance of seeds for the nourishment of certain races of animals, they also secrete fluids for the sustentation of others. Every one knows that the industrious bee collects the nectar or sweet juice of flowers; but besides it, the numerous tribes of butterflies, and thousands of other insects, live also on the same substance. It may be, that this saccharine juice serves some useful purpose in the economy of the plant itself; and certain philosophers who have a ready explanation for every thing, however inexplicable, point out its uses in this respect, with great confidence. But the truth is, we can see no farther than this, and perhaps it is enough, that without injury to the plant it serves for the maintenance of a large portion of animated beings, and I am inclined to believe that this is its chief, if not sole object. Nature, however, is a rigid economist, and never loses an opportunity of

converting her means to as many uses as possible; and hence, though the honey be created for the sake of the insect, the latter, in collecting it, may confer a favour on the flower by disturbing the pollen, and thus applying it to the stigma. As this application, however accomplished, is absolutely indispensable to the production of fertile seeds, we find the greatest anxiety, if I may use the expression, in Nature to have it accomplished. In the generality of instances, the anthers and stigmas are so near, or so relatively placed with respect to each other, that no art is necessary, for when the former burst, their pollen infallibly reaches the latter.

But, suppose you examine the Tiger-lily at the time its corolla opens; you will observe the pistil in the centre, and the six stamens with their points all turned away from it, so that you might conceive the possibility of the pollen not reaching the stigma in any degree. Look at the plant some hours afterwards, and you will observe that the pistil, as if endued with intelligence, has bent itself towards the circumference in pursuit of the stamens, and that the stigma is covered with pollen, and on repeating the examination from time to time, you will find that the pistil not only thus bends, but that also, having done with one anther it leaves it to get to another, which it again deserts for a third; so that on no two successive days will you find the stigma turned to the same stamen.

Instances of