164 THE VEGETABLE WORLD. 
third, a woody kernel, either smooth or furrowed with deep- 
winding dents, constituting the solid abode and protector of 
the seed; this is the endocarp. Fig. 242, 
showing the fruit of the Cherry, and Fig. 
243, giving a vertical section of the same 
fruit, enable us to see the interior and ex- 
terior arrangements of this drupe. 
The fruit of the Medlar proceeding from 
the ripening of an inferior ovary, is com- 
posed of five compartments, and joined 
together by an external covering con- 
™ sidered as an expansion of the floral re- 
4 ceptacle. This fruit is also crowned with 
f/ the sepals of the calyx. The Medlar pre- 
. sents five bony kernels, embedded in @ 
Fig. es cei pulpy mass, resulting from the transforma- 
tion and fusion of all the ovarian walls 
except the woody endocarp, added to the expansion of the floral 
receptacle. 
The small oblong and red fruit of the Cornel is also a 
drupe resulting from the ripening of an inferior 
cit and compound ovary. But the kernels are joined 
Ye" ] together in such a way that we find in the centre, 
one only, presenting two or three cells containing 
the seed. 
It results from what we have said, that in the ~ 
Peach, Cherry, and Plum, the eatable part pro- 
/ ceeds exclusivel ly from the ripening of the pericarp 
he 2i—Section or oF the ovary walls, whilst in the Medlar or the 
ey fruit of the Cornel, the eatable part results not 
only from the ripening of the pericarp, but also from the transfor- 
mation of the peduncle of the flower, which increases and becomes 
succulent. 
Berries, like drupes, are fleshy and indehiscent, but without 
kernels. Such are the berries of the Vine or the Currant (Fig- 
244), and the Gooseberry, only we must remark with regard t0 
this latter fruit, that its eatable and pulpous part does not belong 
only to the pericarp, but also to the seeds, which afford a gelatinous 
