CULTIVATED FRUITS 



core and seeds. The study of an Apple blossom 

 will make the matter clear. The calyx is a 

 hollow cup with five pointed lobes. Upon its 

 edge within the circle of lobes sit the five petals 

 of the corolla and twenty or more stamens. 

 Within the cup are the five-celled ovary with its 

 ovules, and the five styles and stigmas. As the 

 fruit develops the calyx-cup enlarges, unites 

 with the ovary, becomes fleshy, the inner part 

 of the ovary changes into papery texture and 

 forms the core, and the ovules develop into 

 seeds, two in each division of the ovary. The 

 calyx lobes remain at the summit of the fruit, 

 and the stem is in a dimple at the base. The 

 Iruit has captured and retained all of the flower 

 except the petals and the stamens. Such a fruit 

 the books call a pome. In such stone-fruits as 

 the Plum and Cherry the calyx-cup is hollow, 

 and the petals and stamens sit on its edge; but 

 the ovary enlarges to form the fruit, and the 

 cup withers. Grapes and Tomatoes are berries, 

 a fruit in which the seeds are embedded in juicy 

 pulp; the seeds themselves vary in character. 



173 



