378 CHANGES SUCCEEDING IMPREGNATION. CHAP. V11I. 



SUBSECTION I. 



The Cherry. On the 4th of May 1808, the first 

 blossoms of a Cherry-tree had just expanded. The 

 ovary was externally egg-shaped and smooth, but 

 marked with a longitudinal ridge on the side to 

 which the pistil bends ; internally it was a pulpy 

 and homogeneous mass, not yet exhibiting any 

 traces of organization. 



On the 8th, a cavity was discoverable in the cen- 

 tre of the ovary by means of a longitudinal section, 

 occupied by two small vesicles, containing a trans- 

 parent and jelly-like substance. 



On the 12th, one of the vesicles had begun to 

 exhibit symptoms of decay. The other had in- 

 creased considerably, and formed now the nucleus of 

 the seed. 



On the ] 6th, the petals were now falling, and the 

 stamens withering away after having discharged 

 their pollen ; but the pistil was yet pretty entire, and 

 the ovary was about one fourth of an inch in length. 

 The external part or pericarp, which was still green 

 and pulpy, contained in its cavity the nucleus of the 

 future seed, of a white and gelatinous appearance, 

 considerably increased, together with the shrunk 

 vesicle lying between the nucleus and pericarp. The 

 tubes and spiral vessels, forming the umbilical cord 

 and conducting the sap from the fruit-stalk to the 

 nucleus, were seen by the assistance of a microscope 



