CURRANT AND GOOSEBERRY. 67 



mens, are fixed to the calyx : the style is cloven ; 

 and the blossom is superior, that is, it grows 

 above the germen; and this germen afterwards 

 becomes the fruit, and contains within it little hard 

 seeds, dispersed through a pulpy substance; as you 

 will find if you open a currant or gooseberry. 



There are several species of Ri'bes, some pro- 

 ducing different sorts of currants, and others goose- 

 berries. All the currant kind are without thorns, 

 and bear clusters of flowers and fruit; but the 

 branches of the gooseberry are thorny; and the 

 flowers are, in general, what is called Solitary, 

 only one growing from the same part of the plant, 

 instead of a bunch. 



EDWARD. 



Are they all natives of England ? 



MOTHER. 



No ; there are not more than six or seven native 

 species : two of gooseberries, and four or five of 

 currants. Both fruits succeed very well in our 

 gardens. 



No thin-skinned fruits, such as grapes, cnerries, 

 currants, strawberries, plums, apricots, and peaches, 

 nor even common apples and pears, come to per- 

 fection in very hot climates ; and this is remark- 

 able, because a much greater number of vegetables 

 seem to be calculated to bear a high degree of 

 warmth, than to endure cold. 

 F 2 



