FUNCTION OF REPRODUCTION. 



275 



of the pericarp, its functions are analogous to those of 

 the leaf ; but when this organ possesses no stomata and 

 becomes succulent, at first there is a superabundance of 

 water, but in ripening, an increase of saccharine matter 

 takes place accompanied with a diminution of the 

 water. 



The percentage of water and sugar in the following 

 fruits, in their unripe and ripe state, has been thus 

 stated, viz. : 



The solid portion of succulent fruits consists of lignine ; 

 and their liquid parts are chiefly water mixed with gum, 

 malic-acid, malate of lime, colouring matter, and vegeto- 

 animal matter. The whole is flavoured with an aroma- 

 tic substance peculiar to each fruit. Much wet weather 

 renders these fruits insipid ; and many autumnal fruits 

 acquire more flavour if they are detached from the tree 

 before they are perfectly ripe. 



(274.) Colours of Fruit. The peculiar colours of 

 fruit depend upon some local secretions, of which we 

 are not able to give an account, any more than of those 

 which produce the colour of the flower. These two 

 phenomena have this property in common, that those 

 parts which are usually coloured may become white in 

 certain varieties, which may be propagated by slips 

 and cuttings ; even races of white-flowered and white- 

 fruited varieties may to a certain extent be established 

 by seed. The colours are deepened by the action of 

 light. 



T 2 



