30 



SYSTEAIATIC POMOLOGY. 



the fruit is flattened at the apex. Ribbed, or obscurely ribbed, wlien the 

 surface has rising lines and channels from apex to base. Oblique, is 

 wlien the fruit ]3resents the appearance as of being one-sirled, or 

 when tlie axis is inclined to one side. Oblate, not symmetric, or sides 

 unequal, when one side is less than the other. Corruqated, having de- 

 pressed lines, furrows, or wrinkles. Acute, wlien narrowing to a sharp 



Oblate. 



Roundisli. 



Conical. Oblong. 



point. Obtuse, round or blunt. Abrufjt, when the depression breaks 

 off suddenly." 



Axis.— This is an imaginarj' straight line between the stem and 

 the centre of the calyx. The axis is inclined when the fruit is oblique 

 or lop-sided; short wlien oljlate or the cavity and basin are deep; long 

 when the fruit is oblong. The core-cells are axile when they meet the 

 axis; nJmxilc when distant from it. When a section made throuo-h 

 the ajjple at right angles to the axis is circular it is regular: if so true 

 tliat it could be turned in a lathe, it is very rcqular: it mav be 

 irregular, compressed, or flattened sidewise, angular, furrrnrcd, or ril)bed, 

 rarely triangular, quadrangular, or pentangular. 



Size. — The size is variable, depending upon soil, climate, overbear- 

 ing, age, and health of tree, etc. The one given is that attained as an 

 average and imder normal conditions. The size may be very laro-e 

 large, medium, small, very small. 



