Study of an Apple. 103 



not thus name the upper (distal) end of an almond ? Cut 

 an apple vertically so as to exactly split in halves one of 

 the calyx-lobes; or, if there are bumps at the distal end, so 

 as to divide one and go between two on the opposite side. 

 Make the cut carefully down through the center, finally split- 

 ting the stem. The halves thus made should show one cell 

 of the core the cut passing between two on the opposite 

 side and a greenish line running from base to distal end. 

 Try again if your section does not show these. Note how 

 many seeds in the cell. Do they grow fast to the inner 

 angle of the cell or to the outer angle ? Draw a diagram 

 showing all the facts. Put the pieces together and make a 

 cross-section at the largest circumference. It should show a 

 faint line outside the cells, and green dots. Draw this section, 

 indicating the points of attachment of the seeds, the green 

 dots and the line. Cut*vertically through the dots in succes- 

 sion, observing carefully the sections made. What relation 

 do you discover between dots in cross-sections and lines in 

 vertical sections ? What are these lines ? Taste the pulp of a 

 ripe apple inside the circular line shown in the cross-section. 

 Taste the pnlp outside that line. What flower leaves make 

 the former? What do you think make the latter?* 



* Occasionally an abnormal apple bear3 leaf blades on its surface. If there 

 are several they are spirally arranged, as are leaves on a stem. This would seem 

 to indicate, as is doubtless the case in figs (see Fig. 81), that the outside of the 

 fruit is a stem or hollow receptacle; but only the blades of the leaves appear, and 

 a thread of woody fiber, a continuation of the midrib, runs down through the 

 pulp to the base, which favors the hypothesis that the outer and major part of an 

 apple is made up of the petioles of the five calyx leaves. 



Pupils should have perfectly formed apples to dissect. If pears are easily 

 obtained they might be studied and compared with apples. They should be rather 

 green. Often the fruits of roses can be easily obtained. They are interesting in 

 this connection because they resemble apples; but a careful study shows that the 

 apparent seeds are akenes, and that the pulp is clearly a receptacle. 



Toyon berries, (very absurdly called holly), which are commonly used for 

 holiday decorations in winter, are in condition for study from October to May. 



