CHARACTERS OF FRUITS. 363 



and relation to the axis of the fruit; and in pears, they 

 often have a peculiarity of the insertion dependent upon 

 their being more or less fleshy ; in both plums and pears, 

 this fullness is often arranged in rings surrounding the 

 base of the stem. 



Some pomologists have taken great pains to measure 

 the length of the stems, which they report in inches and 

 lines. As above stated, this is an uncertain quantity, and 

 therefore of little value, except when taken in relation to 

 other measurements by way of comparison ; hence I have 

 preferred to use the above-mentioned terms only in their 

 relation to the axial diameter in describing the apples, un- 

 less where their extension is unusual. The variable length 

 of this organ in some varieties is remarkable, and we often 

 find the smallest fruits having the longest stems. 



When we come to examine the interior portions of a 

 fruit, if it be an apple or pear, we make a vertical section 

 through the axis from basin to cavity. This exposes the 

 internal structure and enables us to judge of the color and 

 other characters of the fleshy pericarp, the length of the 

 axis, the size of the core and carpels, and the number and 

 appearance of the seeds. These characters are possessed 

 of value, and are quite reliable ; in many fruits the seeds 

 furnish distinctive indications, and this is particularly the 

 case with the stone fruits, many of which are readily iden- 

 tified by the form and markings of the stones or pits, the 

 endocarps of botany. 



In the apple particularly, we first have our attention 

 drawn to the Axis, which is sometimes very short, so that 

 in some decidedly oblate specimens, with deep basin and 

 cavity, there is scarcely room between them for the 



