46 



MAINE STATE COLLEGE 



In several instances I have observed the development of fruits 

 on the " Duke of Eduiburg," when the blossom never expanded. 

 One of these is shown in Figure 8. The mature fruits were in 

 every respect like those from which pollen was excluded by arti- 

 ficial means. 



Fig. 8. Duke of Edinhurg. 



In our studies of the egg plant — Solanum melongena — ■ 

 we have at different times secured well developed fruits from 

 blossoms which had been castrated and covered with paper bags 

 to prevent access of foreign pollen. In no case have perfect 

 seeds been found. The first instance noted was in the summer 

 of 1890, and the fact was published the following spring.* Dur- 

 ing the past winter, 1891-92, experiments in this line have been 

 repeated on plants growing in the house. Out of fifteen blossoms 

 emasculated and covered, two apparently good fruits developed. 

 One of these when about six weeks old began to decay, and was 

 picked, and photographed. This fruit is shown in Figure 9. 



As will be observed, the outer portions of the fruit grew much 

 more rapidly than the inner, — the placentae evidently requiring 

 the stimulus of the growing ovules to induce development. The 

 abortive ovules appear in the cavity as minute brown particles. 

 A very few of them — ten in the whole fruit — were partially de- 

 veloped ; indicating the possibility of a few grains of pollen hav- 

 ing reached the stigma. The work was very carefully performed, 

 however, and I am confident there is no error. The other fruit 

 referred to is shown in the frontispiece. This fruit remained on 

 the plant until fully mature. As will be seen, the fruit is normal 

 in every respect except that it is ahsolutely seedless. 



*"n,iley and JMuiison, Experiences with Egg Plants. Bui. 28, Cornell Exp. 



~ta , 19. 



