176 THE NATURE AND WOEK OF PLANTS 



of a flower really spring from the end of the flower- 

 stalk, so that this young apple consists of the bases 

 of the petals, sepals, stamens, and pistils fused to- 

 gether. The fruit of the apple is thus composed 

 of portions derived from all of the organs of the 

 flower. Cut across a mature apple in the middle, 

 and note in the exact centre : 



a. The core. It is seen to be joined directly to 

 the stem at the base of the apple, and terminates 

 at the other end in some small dried appendages, 

 which cannot be made out in a ripe apple. If a 

 half-grown specimen is secured fresh from a tree, it 

 will be seen that the five styles of the pistil are 

 attached to the core. Down in the centre of the 

 core will be found five small chambers containing 

 seeds ; the pistil of this plant was therefore com- 

 pound, and each of the five styles furnished a pas- 

 sageway for pollen tubes to the egg-cells in the 

 chambers at its base. 



Make out the membrane lining the seed cavities, 

 or cells. Examine the flesh of the apple. Note the 

 outer skin. It is often very strong and is covered 

 with a layer of wax. What is the difference between 

 the flesh of apples which may be kept for a long 

 time, and those which rot shortly after they ripen ? 



