660 FIBRO-VASCULAR SYSTEM OF THE PEAR, 



branch as it approaclies the cai'pel, to supply its outer or dorsal 

 surface, and this conveys the nourshiment through a network 

 of delicate branches radiating on either side of each carpel 

 (Fig. 6). The main bundle is continued around the carpels 

 to the blossom-end of the fruit. 



The remaining five bundles run between the carpels (Fig. 6 

 in centre), and convey the nourishment to the inner or ventral 

 face of each carpel. An internal branch is given off towards 

 the base of each primary bundle (about f inch from the top 

 of the stalk), and these five branches run together in the 

 centre until they approach the tapering basal end of each 

 carpel. There each branch splits up into two parallel strands, 

 which run along each side of the ventral face of the carpel, 

 and these ten strands are clearly shown in Fig. 3. These also 

 branch, and form a network on the surface of each carpel, so 

 that, from the dorsal and ventral surfaces, there is a system 

 of vessels which blend and leave no portion unprovided for 

 (Figs. 5 and 6). As in the others, the main trunks pass 

 around the carpels to the blossom-end. 



There is here a beautiful illustration of the principle of 

 the division of labour, for five of the vascular bundles, oppo- 

 site the carpels, supply the dorsal surface of each ; while five, 

 between the carpels, provide for the ventral surface of each, 

 and by a delicate system of branching, the entire surface of 

 the carpel is libei'ally supplied with nutritive material. The 

 ten strands, running alongside the ventral portion of the car- 

 pels, are continued along their whole length, for they are 

 seen in sections either towards the base or the apex of the 

 carpels. 



While the seed-cavity, with its contained seeds, is the most 

 important, and must be directly supplied, yet there is the 

 most liberal provision made for the "fleshy" portion of the 

 pear. From the outer surface of each primary vascular 

 bundle, numerous branches are given off, which divide and 

 subdivide until they form a complete network surrounding 

 the "flesh " (Fig. 9) ; and from the boundaries of each mesh, 



