2^2 FALL OF RIPE FRUIT. 



are detached by the slightest touch. Plants of hot 

 countries, kept in our stoves, exhibit the same phaeno- 

 menon when transplanted or otherwise injured, even 

 though not naturally deciduous. 



So when fruits are thoroughly ripened, they become, 

 with respect to the parent plant, dead substances, and, 

 however strongly attached before, are then thrown off 

 as extraneous bodies. Their stalks fade or wither, 

 though the life of the adjoining branch continues un- 

 impaired, and a line of separation is soon drawn. In a 

 poor soil, or unfavourable climate, a bunch or spike 

 which should naturally consistof a considerable number 

 of flowers, bears perhaps not half so many. Its upper 

 part very early withers, the vital principle ceases to act 

 at the point beyond which it could not continue to act 

 with effect, and all its energy is directed to perfect 

 what lies w^ithin the compass of its resources. This is 

 evident in Lathyrus odoratns, the Sweet Pea of our 

 gardens, a native of a very hot climate, at the summits 

 of whose flower-stalks are generally found the rudi- 

 ments of one or more flowers, not attempted to be 

 perfected. So also the first Barley sown on the sandy 

 heaths of Norfolk, and indeed too many a following 

 crop, bears very few grains in an ear ; for the same 

 meagre supply of nourishment, bestowed equally on a 

 numerous spike of blossoms, would infalHbly starve 

 them all. In like manner one seed only is perfected in 

 the best wild Arabian Coflee, known by its round 

 form ; while the West Indian plantation Coffee has 



