ON FRUIT. 231 



or base of the stamens, which grows over the carpels, and, 

 in some instances, adheres to them ; but this species of 

 conformation is very rare. One that is much more com- 

 mon, but also more complicated, is when the carpels not 

 only cohere together, but are also soldered with the calyx; 

 so that when the blossom falls, the fruit which grows is 

 composed of the carpels and the calyx, forming a single 

 body. 



Emily. This must produce a fruit of a very singular 

 appearance. 



Mrs. B. Not so much so as you imagine ; for the ap- 

 ple and the pear are of this description. This mode of 

 growing can be easily understood when the fruit is traced 

 from its primitive existence in the flower ; but I can give 

 you an infallible test to know whether the fruit, when al- 

 ready grown, is of this description. You see the eye at 

 the top of this pear : it is formed by the remnants of the 

 sepals, or leaves of the calyx ; and whenever you see such 

 an eye at the summit of a fruit, you may be assured that 

 it consists of the carpel and the calyx soldered together. 

 All fruits whose seeds are pips, are of this nature, and are 

 distinguished by the name of Pome. 



Emily. The quince, I am sure, then, consists of the 

 calyx soldered to the carpels, for it has a very large eye : 

 but is the medlar also of this description ? it has a con- 

 siderable opening at the top, somewhat resembling an eye. 



Mrs. B. Yes ; and the aperture results from the calyx 

 not completely covering the carpels : these, therefore, are 

 visible between the teeth, or indentures, which terminate 

 the calyx. 



Emily. I see that the metamorphosis of a flower into 

 a fruit is in many cases a very complicated affair, and not 

 so easy to understand as I had imagined from your first 

 explanation. Is it the calyx which forms the skin, and 

 the pericarp the flesh of the pome ? 



Mrs. B. It is difficult to distinguish these organs, when 

 cohering together. The calyx, however, being external, 

 must naturally form the skin of the pome ; part of it may 



1262. What one is mentioned more common although more complex 1 ? 

 1263. What fruit is of this description 1 ? 1264. How may it be 

 known if the carpel and the calyx are soldered together in the fruit! 

 1265. What fruit is of this nature and what is it called 1 ? 1266. 

 From what does the opening in the top of the medlar result 1 ? 1267. 

 Of what is the skin formed 1 ? 



