DB3SCRIPTION. 13 



A herry is a simple fruit in which the entire pericarp is 

 fleshy, ^excepting the skin; as the grape, currant, banana, 

 tomato, etc. In ordinary usage any small pulpy fruit Is a 

 berry; as the strawberry, huckleberry, raspberry, blackberry, 

 etc. In pomology we follow the latter meaning though the 

 other would be better. 



Parts and Qualities of Feuits. — The flesh of a fruit is the 

 eoible pericarp. The core, of pomes, is the . parchment like 

 carpels enclosing the seed. The seed of drupes is called the 

 pit or stone. The hasin is the depression which contains the 

 remains of the. blossom; sometimes, but in poor usage, called the 

 eye. The cavity is the depression in which the stalk or stem 

 is inserted. The stalk or stem is the pedicel or peduncle of 

 the botanist. The iase is the end toward the tree in which the 

 stem is inserted. The apex is the end opposite the base and con- 

 tains the remains of the blossom. The point is the end opposite 

 the stem in some stone fruits. The suture, in the drupes, is 

 the furrow running from the base to the point. The axis is a 

 line connecting the base and apex. The length is the distance 

 from base to apex. The breadth is the transverse diameter. 

 Body and neck, used with pears, are terms the meanings of 

 which are obvious. 



Besides the points just named descriptions take into con- 

 sideration the following qualities : — form, size, texture, flavor, 

 and season of ripening. 



How TO Study a Feuit.— In studying or describing a fruit, 

 the external characters, logically, first receive attention. As 

 the fruit, which should be mature and a typical specimen, is 

 taken in hand, note its weight; in a careful study determine 

 its specific gravity, a quality of much value as a distinguishing 



