148 FIELD, FOREST AND FARM 



tally. In three compartments grouped in a circle we 

 see some tiny grains arranged so that each compart- 

 ment has two rows of them. They are the future 

 seeds of the plant. The ovary, then, is the part of 

 the plant where the seeds are formed. After a cer- 

 tain time the flower withers, the petals wilt and fall, 

 the calyx does the same, or sometimes it remains to 

 play the part of protector a while longer, the dried 

 stamens break off, and only the ovary remains, grow- 

 ing larger, ripening, and finally becoming the fruit 

 that contains the seeds. 



"Every sort of fruit — the pear, apple, apricot, 

 peach, walnut, cherry, melon, grape, almond, chest- 

 nut — began by being a little swelling of the pistil; 

 all those excellent things that the tree and plant give 

 us for food were first ovaries." 

 "Then a big juicy pear began by being" the ovary 

 of a pear* blossom?" queried 

 Emile. 



"Yes, my friend," was the re- 

 ply; "pears, apples, cherries, 

 apricots, even big melons and 

 enormous pumpkins begin by 

 being the little ovaries of their 



Apricot Blossom Cut Open 



respective flowers. I will show 

 you an apricot in its blossom." 



Uncle Paul took an apricot blossom, opened it 

 with his penknife, and showed his listeners what is 

 here reproduced in the picture. 



"In the heart of the flower," he explained, "you 

 see the pistil surrounded by numerous stamens. 



