THE APPLE 37 



mature before the pollen is ripe, a condition known 

 technically as "proterogynous," so that self- fertilisation 

 cannot usually take place in this species ; and by 

 their beauty and their abundant honey the flowers 

 attract many kinds of bees and other insects. We 

 have yet much to learn, however, as to the indi- 

 vidual tastes in colour of the various insects, and 

 as to whether we can connect in any way, by 

 the theory of sexual selection, their own colouring 

 with that of the flowers they frequent. With regard 

 to the plant, the advantage to the species of an 

 occasional cross has been conclusively shown, 



The wealth of beauty of the Apple in flower, 

 whether massed together in our orchards, or happened 

 upon as a pleasing surprise in a hedgerow, or " deep 

 in the thicket of some wood," is succeeded by another 

 charm, perhaps not equal, but at least not despicable 

 that of the tree in fruit. In the wild state crab- 

 apples are mostly of a deep red tint, as that accurate 

 observer the poet Clare describes them : 



" Crabs sun-reddened with a tempting cheek. 



There would seem, however, to be more than one 

 variety in England in this respect, since crabs are 

 occasionally found of a pure golden yellow, reminding 

 us of Phillips's " Pippin burnish'd o'er with gold." 



Whatever its form in other respects, the Apple is 

 easily distinguished from the pear by its " umbilicus," 

 or depression at the base to receive the stalk. Its 

 rounded outline, with one side perchance "sun- 

 reddened," has often caused it to suggest the plump 

 and rosy cheeks of an English maiden ; but when Ave 



