168 



ARTOCARP^. 



[part I. 



of a calyx of four sepals, and four stamens, 

 which spring back and remain extended after 



Fig, 76.— Mulbkrry. 



they have discharged their pollen (h). The 

 female flowers also grow closely together, in 

 dense spikes, round a slender receptacle ; each 

 having two elongated fringed stigmas (c), and a 

 calyx of four sepals, and being inclosed in an 

 involucre, as shown at d. As the seeds ripen, 

 each female flower becomes a drupe, consisting 

 of a fleshy and juicy pericardium formed from 

 the calyx, and the nut ; and these drupes being 

 pressed closely together by the position of the 

 female flowers, the whole adhere together and 

 form the fruit we call the mulberry. The invo- 

 lucre withers when the calyx becomes juicy ; 

 but the remains of it and of the style are often 

 seen on the ripe fruit, as shown at e. The 

 receptacle also remains as a sort of core, which 

 is thrown away when the fruit is eaten, though 



