WHAT IS A GRAPE? 



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mere sport or chance variation, we may be sure the 

 variety in which it appeared would be so favoured by 

 circumstances, that it would soon become a marked 

 and distinct species. 



As a matter of fact, it is pretty certain that such 

 has been the origin of all edible pulpy fruits. Take, 

 for example, these grapes here. If you cut one of 

 them open, you will find inside a number of hard little 

 seeds. Slice one of these again with a sharp penknife, 

 and you will see that it consists of a tiny embryo 

 plant in the centre, surrounded by a very solid bony 

 shell. Each seed is in fact a miniature nut ; and the 

 kernel, so to speak, consists of the tiny plantlet 

 within, together with the albumen on which it feeds 

 when it first begins to germinate. Now, if any bird 

 were to swallow and digest this vital part of the seed, 

 the plant would, of course, be an obvious loser. But 

 the hard shell prevents such a catastrophe from hap- 

 pening ; and, therefore, the plant is benefited by the 

 soft, eatable pulp which surrounds these little mimic 

 nuts. Observe, too, that the fruity part of the grape 

 is sweet; it contains grape sugar. Now sugar is 

 always laid up in those parts of plants which specially 

 seek to attract the animal world. In flowers, the 

 nectar allures the fertilising bees and butterflies ; in 

 fruits and berries, the sweet juices allure the birds 

 which disperse the seeds ; nay, even the pitcher-plants 

 secrete honey to wile flies into their insect-eating 

 cups ; and certain acacias store it up in hollow thorns 

 to attract the epicurean ants, which, in turn, protect 



