658 PIBRO-VASCULAR SYSTEM OF THE PEAR, 



spreading at first, but as they approach the carpels, they bulge 

 out more. As each one approaches its corresponding carpel, it 

 giv^es rise to an internal branch, which passes along the dorsal or 

 outer face of the carpel, while the main portion of each bundle is 

 continued beyond to the blossom-end of the fruit. Thei'e are 

 also five alternating bundles which diverge a little higher up than 

 the preceding, and each one passes between two carpels, giving 

 off an internal branch to the inner or ventral face of the carpel 

 (Fig.6). 



Each primaiy vascular bundle gives rise to numerous branches 

 externally, which combine to form a complete network of vessels 

 about one-half inch or less from the surface(Fig.9); and from the 

 boundaries of each mesh, the innumerable plume-like bi'anches 

 arise, reaching to the skin, just as in the apple(Figs.4, 5, 6). 



Fihro-vascular System as a whole. 



The first impression gained by a glanoe at this luxuriant and 

 elaborate system of vascular bundles in the pear(Fig.7) is, that it 

 is provided with a most complete framework to support the soft 

 parts, and is the centre of a great receiving and distributing 

 agency, receiving food-materials from every part of the tree, and 

 distributing them to every portion of tlie fruit. Tt is not only 

 adapted for supplying present needs, but also for future require- 

 ments, as the food is used up or stored up, according to circum- 

 stances. 



It is difficult to give an accurate description, conveying an 

 idea of the diversity of the bundles and yet of their combination 

 into a harmonious whole. But the general views of the entire 

 system (Figs.7 and 8), the detailed views(Figs.6 and 9), together 

 with the transverse and longitudinal sections(Figs.2, 3, 4 and 5), 

 should help to give a vivid picture of the wonderful arrangements 

 provided by nature for the building up of the luscious fruit, which 

 is simply a vehicle for the distribution of the seeds. 



The Skeleton. — Just as in animals, the skeleton is intimately 

 associated with the conducting tissues, and each fibro-vascular 

 bundle has a skeletal framework to stiffen and strengthen the 

 vessels. In addition to that, the "stone-cells," so generally dis- 



