THE PEARS OF NEW YORK 67 
The cell containing seed, called a carpel, is morphologically a modified 
leaf, which, by folding together and by union of its edges forms a closed 
receptacle. In some varieties, the carpels are. open; in others closed. If 
the tip of the carpel is indented, it is said to be emarginate; if long and 
pointed, mucronate. In shape, carpels may be round, cordate, obcordate, 
elliptical, oblong, elongated, ovate, or, obovate. In the cores of most pomes 
there is a central cavity called the core cavity, sometimes spoken of as the 
axial sac which may be either narrow, wide, or lacking. This is a character 
of much importance and reliability in pears. When the carpels extend 
quite to the axis of the fruit, they are said to be axile and there is no core 
cavity; when distant from the axis, they are abaxile and a core cavity is 
formed. Sometimes the carpel is lined on the inner surface with a white 
substance, when it is said to be tufted. In some pears, there are many 
fine hairs in the core-cavity in which case the cavity is said to be tufted. 
The limits of the core are marked by a line in most pome-fruits — 
usually very distinct in apples and quinces — which in most varieties of 
pears is indistinct. The area enclosed by this line may be large or small 
and may be variously shaped. When the core-line joins the calyx-tube 
along the sides, it is said to be clasping; when the two ends of the line 
meet at the base of the calyx-tube, the expression core-lines meeting is used. 
The core-line in pears is nearly always, if not always, clasping and very 
often it is a more or less thickened area of grit-cells. 
Seeds.— Seeds are characteristic in all varieties of pears and might 
well be used more generally than is the case in classification. The number 
is exceedingly variable in different varieties. The usual number is two in 
each cell, but often there are three or more and occasionally they are missing. 
Seeds vary greatly in different varieties in size, shape, and color, and 
differences in these characters are as constant as are those of any other 
organ of the fruit. Number, size, shape, and color of seeds should be 
noted with care in every technical description of a pear. The point of the 
seed, also, is worth noting; it may be acute, acuminate, or obtuse. Like 
the carpels, the seeds are often tufted. There are several so-called seedless 
pears, but all of these occasionally contain some seeds. Very often 
seedlessness is brought about by lack of proper pollination. An occasional 
fruit without seeds is found in nearly all varieties, but these fruits are 
usually more or less abnormal in size or shape. 
Flesh.— Most pears may be identified from the flesh-characters without 
a glance at any other part of fruit or plant. Flavor, odor, and texture 
