FRUITS 257 
spot at which the seeds are attached to the carpels, and 
label this point, placenta. Notice whether it is in the axis 
where the carpels all meet at their inner edges, or on the 
outer side. Observe, also, whether the seed is attached to 
the placenta by its big or its littleend. If you can find a 
tiny thread that attaches the seed to the carpel, label it, seed 
stalk. Fruits of this kind are classed, botanically, as pomes. 
Write, from your analysis, a definition of the pome. 
289. Modifications of the receptacle. — Compare with the 
drawings you have made, a haw anda hip. What points of 
agreement do you see? What dif- 
ferences? Which of the two more 
closely resembles the typical pome? 
The receptacle is subject to a va- 
riety of modifications, and forms a 
part of many fruits, for example, 
the fig, lotus, and calycanthus 
(Figs. 370, 371); but a fruit is not 
a pome unless the containing re- Fed. SiH amie 
ceptacle becomes more or less soft receptacle of Carolina allspice 
: (Calycanthus), containing fruits 
and edible. attached to its inner surface: 
290. The pepo, or melon. — Next 370, exterior; 371, vertical sec- 
examine a gourd, cucumber, squash, "”™ 
or any kind of melon, and compare its blossom end with that 
of the apple or pear. Do you find any remains of a calyx, 
or other part of the flower? Examine the peduncle and ob- 
serve how the fruit is attached to it. Can you tell what 
made the outer epidermis of the rind? Put a small piece 
under the microscope; do you see any stomata, or lenticels? 
Cut cross and vertical sections, and sketch them, labeling 
each part. There may be some difficulty in making out the 
carpels, for they are not separate and distinct as in the pome, 
but confluent with the enlarged receptacle, which in these 
fruits forms the outer portion of the rind, and also with each 
other at their edges, so as to form one unbroken circle, as if 
they had all grown together. And this is precisely what 
371 
