THE FRUIT 



69 



ties are very regular as to shape, while others are markedly ir- 

 regular. In some varieties of any of the drupes, the halves are 

 equal; in others unequal (Fig. 39). 



104. Cavity and apex.— In the pome-fruits cavity and basin 

 help greatly in classifying varieties, but the cavity is of minor 

 importance in drupe- 

 fruits and there is no 

 depressed basin, its 

 place being taken by 

 a more . or less pro- 

 longed apex, some- 

 times sunken, seldom 

 of importance in sys- 

 tematic work. The 

 cavity should be de- 

 scribed as to its depth, 

 width, shape, and 

 markings, using the 

 same terms suggested 

 for pome-fruits. The 

 apex has special terms 

 of description. It 

 may be round, flat, or 

 depressed; simply 

 pointed, a prolonged 

 tip, or abruptly tipped 

 with a short spine 

 when it is said to be 

 mucronate. The apex 

 of some peaches is a 



rounded nipple-like protuberance, in which case it is said to be 

 mamelon or mameloniated. 



105. The stem is much used in the classification of drupe- 

 fruits. Its presence or absence is a definite distinguishing 

 mark with some species. The stem is very short or seemingly 

 absent in peaches and nectarines and is always present and 

 usually long in plums and cherries. The length of the stem is 

 an almost certain mark of recognition in some plums and cher- 

 ries. Its thickness, color, and the quantity and kind of pubes- 



FiG. 39. Shapes of drupes. 1. Imperial Gage 

 plum, round. 2. Arch Duke plum. oval. 3. 

 Gueii plum, ovate. 4. Wickson plum, cordate, 

 5. Peento peach, oblate. 6. Pacific plum, 

 oblong. 7. Champion peach, round-truncate. 

 8. Waddel peach, round-oblong. 9. Moorpark 

 apricot, sides compressed. 10. Iron Moun- 

 tain peach, irregular, sides unequal. 11. 

 Giant prune, obovate, necked. 12. Climax 

 peach, beaked. 



