ROSE TRIBE. STRUCTURE OF FRUIT, 429 



On splitting this body perpendicularly it will be perceived that 

 it is in reality the tube of the calyx, formed by the adhesion of 

 the sepals, which closely envelops the seed-vessels, and is con- 

 tracted into a narrow orifice at the point whence the styles arise. 

 The ripe fruit of the Rose, known by the names of Hip, Hep, 

 or Haw, is nothing else than this tube of the calyx, which may 

 be regarded, perhaps, as a hollow prolongation of the receptacle, 

 turned red and fleshy ; and in its interior will be found the 

 carpels, changed to bony grains. The Apple and Quince, and 

 their allies, are constructed very nearly upon the same plan. 

 The principal difference consists in this, that the ovaries and the 

 tube of the calyx completely coalesce, and form one body, which 

 becomes the fruit. The eye at its end marks the point from 

 which the calyx spreads out ; this is better seen in the Medlar. 

 The principal part of the flesh of the Apple consists of the tube 

 of the calyx or the prolonged receptacle ; but in its interior are 

 found the five carpels, whose thin walls are somewhat horny. 

 In the Medlar, these are thick and have a bony firmness. 



596. In the Almond tribe, which includes the Plum, Apricot, 

 Peach, Nectarine, Cherry, and all similar fruits, there is only one 

 carpel developed ; and this in time changes to the fruit, which is 

 termed a drupe, consisting of a hard shell enveloping the kernel, 

 and itself inclosed in a soft flesh. These all agree in the peculiar 

 properties which they derive, from the presence of a certain 

 quantity of Prussic Acid (which, when of full strength, is one of 

 the most violent poisons known) in some part of them, usually 

 either the seeds, or leaves, or both. The quantity is so small as 

 to cause no danger in making use of such parts, unless this 

 ingredient be concentrated in any artificial mode, as it is in what 

 is called Laurel Water, which is distilled from the leaves of the 

 Prunus Laurocerasits, or Cherry Laurel, and is used for giving 

 a flavour to various sweet dishes and liquors. 



597. This order principally abounds in the cold and tem- 

 perate regions of the northern hemisphere, In fact, scarcely any 

 species of the Rose, Apple, and Almond tribes are found else- 

 where. There is a small group, however, distinguished from the 

 rest of the order by the constant absence of petals, which abounds 

 at the Cape of Good Hope, where it represents the Rosacese of 



