10 ELECTRICAL STRUCTURE AND 



THE APPLE. 



Fig. 1 illustrates the electrical structure of the apple. 

 The stalk, receiving its negative charge from the earth, 

 communicates directly with the negative core, which, as 

 will be seen, is insulated from the positive or edible portion. 

 The core terminates at its upper end, it will be observed, 

 in a dry plug the remains of the flower while the stalk 

 is always sealed, either by dry fibre or by a gummy or 

 resinous secretion. The rind or outer covering is of 

 enormous resistance, and is evidently designed to conserve 

 the energy of the cell by giving it high absolute insulation. 



From Fig. 2 we gather some idea of the means adopted 

 by Nature to prolong life. 



In the example shown, seven days had elapsed since 

 the division was made, the surfaces had partially dried, 

 probably to increase their resistance and lessen liability 

 to evaporation, the walls of the core had similarly har- 

 dened, and the rind or peel had closed round the edges to, 

 we may assume, prevent the loss of any of the juice 

 necessary to the apple's continued electrical activity. 



The pear and the quince so nearly resemble the apple 

 that it is unnecessary to describe them. The only difference 

 is that the core is more elongated in shape and is placed 

 at a slightly greater distance from the stalk than in the 

 case of the apple. 



THE BANANA. 



It will be seen that the negative terminal the stalk 

 is connected with the skin and an inner lining from which 

 the positive flesh of the fruit is instantly detachable. No- 

 where does there appear to be any actual electrical contact 

 between the negative and positive systems except, pos- 

 sibly, by osmosis the flesh being enclosed in an envelope 

 and as the whole of the flesh is positive the dietetic value 



