MATURATION OF THE FEUIT. 69 



whose habits we know nothing whatever, it is obvious 

 that no analogical inferences can be safely estab 

 lished. 



CHAPTER VI. 

 OP THE MATURATION OP THE FRUIT. 



Changes it undergoes. — Superior and inferior Fruit. 

 — Is fed hy Branches upon organisable Matter fur- 

 nished hy Leaves. — Physiological Use of the Fruit. — 

 Nature of Secretions. — The Changes they undergo. — 

 Effect of Heat— Of Sunlight— Of Wat&r.— Seeds. 

 Origin of their Food. — Cause of their Longevity. — Of 

 their Destruction. — Difference in their Vigour. 



91. After the fertilisation of the seed has taken 

 effect, the pistil by itself, or the pistil and surround- 

 ing parts, go on growing ; alter their appearance, as 

 well as size ; acquire new qualities. of colour, texture, 

 flavour, &c. ; and become the fruit. There are two 

 kinds of fruit essentially very different ; in some 

 instances, the pistil grows separately from the floral 

 envelopes, which drop off, and the fruit is formed by 

 an enlargement and alteration of the sides of the 

 pistil only; it is then called superior: in other 

 instances, the pistil and floral envelopes all grow 

 together, and the fruit consists of an enlargement and 



