Fig. 133.—Field Geranium (× ¼).
Fig. 134.—A, capsule of poppy; B, cross section of capsule (× ¼); C, seeds.
The fruit of the violet or pansy.—The arrangement by which the violet ([Fig. 134]) or pansy sows its seeds is most interesting. After fertilisation the ovary swells into a great egg-shaped capsule, in the inside of which the seeds are arranged in three rows. When the seeds have become ripe and hard, the capsule splits down the side along three lines, and is thus divided into three parts. These open outwards, and bend back as shown in [Fig. 135]. Each is a boat-shaped valve. The seeds inside are thus exposed to the air, and they soon dry and become ready for scattering.
Fig. 135.—Violet. F, explosive fruit; S, seeds being shot out of fruit.