APPLE AND PEAR 49 



they extend the branch system. In addition, however, to these 

 shoots, the growth of which is unlimited, there are others into 

 which the majority of the lateral buds develop. These short shoots 

 only grow a small amount in length each year, and bear their 

 leaves closely crowded. The shoot, which does not bear fruits in 

 the accompanying plate, is of this kind. The slow growth of 

 these shoots can be traced by observing how close the scars left 

 by the scale-leaves enclosing the buds of successive years are. 

 In the Wild Apple the tip of such a shoot may become hard and 

 pointed and cease to grow ; it is then modified into a thorn. 

 Other short shoots bear a few foliage-leaves, and end in an in- 

 florescence. All the flowers of an Apple or Pear tree are borne 

 on short shoots of this nature, mostly produced in the axils 

 of the leaves of the preceding season. Since the inflorescence 

 terminates the flowering shoot, it is clear that when the latter 

 continues to grow it must be from a lateral bud that the new 

 growth proceeds. 



The foliage-leaves are simple, with a slightly widened base, a 

 well-marked leaf-stalk, and an oval blade which usually narrows 

 to a point. The margin of the leaf -blade is cut into little teeth. 

 At the base of each leaf is a pair of small narrow stipules that 

 soon shrivel up. In contrast to the Wild Apple, which is almost 

 hairless, the stems and the pale lower surface of the leaf in the 

 cultivated varieties bear short whitish hairs. 



The short flowering shoot, as was said above, bears a few foliage- 

 leaves, and above them a few small leaves, each provided with a 

 dr of stipules. The shoot terminates in a flower, while other 

 lowers are borne laterally in the axils of the scale-leaves just 

 tentioned and the uppermost foliage-leaves. The terminal 

 lower opens first, and the others follow in order from below up- 

 wards. The group of flowers is conspicuous by reason of the 

 :ge almost white petals, which are flushed with pink on the 

 outer sides where they were exposed in the opening bud. The 

 flower of the Pear, which resembles that of the Apple in its general 

 construction, is white. Its appearance is shown in the accom- 

 panying coloured plate. Each flower has a stout downy flower- 

 stalk that bears two bracteoles. The flower-stalk widens just 

 below the flower into the inferior ovary, and the sepals, petals, 



VOL. IV. 4 



