MATURATION OF THE FRUIT. 71 



compared witli a superior fruit of similar constitu- 

 tional power.* 



93. It is, however, to be remarked that these rules 

 may be interfered with by special causes ; as in the 

 case of the Fig, where the superior fruit is seated on. 

 an enlarged receptacle, which acts as if it were a 

 large surfnce of leaves adhering to the pistil. 



94. It may be conceived that, as the fruit is an 

 altered state of a leaf, its physiological action will 

 resemble that of a leaf, in proportion as it retains its 

 organic similitude ; and this is found to happen, a fruit 

 decomposing carbonic acid, &c., under the influence 

 of light, so long as it retains its original green folia- 

 ceous character. In the Pea, for example, whose pod 

 is_green until it begins to die, the action is always 

 similar to that of a leaf: but in the Peach, whose tex- 

 ture becomes pulpy, and unlike that of a leaf, the 

 physiological action eventually ceases to be exactly 

 that of the latter organ. 



95. But although a fruit has, like a leaf, the power 

 of forming secretions by elaborating the sap which is 



* The following table shows which of our commonly cultiyated 

 plants have superior or inferior fruits : — 



Superior. Inferior. 



Strawberry. Apple. 



Raspberry. Pear. 



Peach. Quince. 



Plum, <fec. Medlar. 



Apricot. Currauti 



Cherry. Gooseberry. 



Grape. Melon. 



lig. Cucumber. 



