The Peach. 83 



the flesh adheres to it, we have a " cling-stone " or 

 Brugnon. The difference seems to have existed ever 

 since peaches were cultivated, being mentioned by the 

 oldest horticultural writers. The " free-stone " condition 

 arises simply from the natural decay of the fibrous cords 

 which connect the pulp with the surface of the endocarp. 

 Why it should occur is not yet explained : that the differ- 

 ence consists in no more than this natural decay is shown 

 by the existence of intermediate forms, by the French 

 called semi-cling-stones. The ordinary complexion is well 

 known, yellowish green on the side that has been rather 

 less exposed to the sun, lively red upon the other, very 

 much the same as in many kinds of apple, the colour 

 chastely softened, in the peach, by the silky velvet pile 

 which covers the entire surface. " Peach-colour," said of 

 ribbons, etc., it may be useful to remark, does not mean 

 the colour of the fruit, but of the flowers; just as when 

 " almond " is spoken of, in similar connection, the refer- 

 ence is to the roseate hue of the tree when in bloom. 

 Many varieties in the colour of the ripened peach have 

 arisen under cultivation. In one of them the skin is 

 of a uniformly soft pale greenish white. Another may 

 be described as pink. A third, called the St. Helena 

 peach, is of a bright golden colour. The flesh also pre- 

 sents beautiful tints. The radiation of crimson lines and 

 veins is a very familiar enrichment : in the variety called 

 the Sanguinole (an excellent kind for preserving) the 

 entire substance is of a richly tempered blood-colour. 

 An extremely singular variety, in respect of shape, is 



