BLACKTHORN. 



47 



them. This gives the flowers an effect ot raggedness which distinguishes 

 them from the many flowers of similar construction. The flowers are 

 found growing singly or in clusters, but each one has invariably its 

 own separate stalk, which connects it with twig or spine. It is 

 worthy of note that the spine being merely shoots of arrested growth 

 can bear flowers and leaves, while they cannot, like the prickles upon 

 a rose tree, easily be detached from the stem. 



THE FRUIT, 



The Sloes take the place ot the flowers and often form dense 

 clusters at the axils of the twigs. At first ot a dull green colour, by 

 the end of xA-Ugust they wear a bluish-purple bloom, and where this 

 bloom is rubbed away by the movement of the branches the berries 

 show a purple-black or green-red surface according as they are or are 

 not exposed to the sun. 



It should be noticed that the rudiment of the "sloe" or fruit, 

 is inside the green cup at the base of the flowers. From the edges 

 of this cup the sepals, petals, and stamens spring. These with the 

 cup fall away, leaving only the pistil, the ovary of which forms the 

 fruit. The cherry has flowers and fruit of the same essential structure 

 though they differ considerably in their outward appearance. 



BRAMCH OF PLUM 



