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THE AMERICAN NATURALIST [Vol. XLYIII 



that those lots grown underless favorable conditions had, 

 on the average, longer stems than others grown under a 

 more favorable environment. 



Cavity. — The most conspicuous variation in the cavity 

 is in its depth. This is of especial note in the Borne, which 

 has a very shallow cavity in most parts of the state. This 

 is doubtless due to the same cause which produces the 

 elongated form of the fruit in many varieties, namely the 

 elongation of the axis resulting from a deficient moisture 

 supply incident to a low temperature after the blooming 

 season. In this variety the elongated axis obliterates the 

 cavity instead of modifying the general outline of the 

 fruit. The same variation is also noted to a less degree 

 in a number of other varieties. An especially furrowed 

 cavity is often observed associated as a rule with the 

 ribbed form of fruit. 



Calyx. — The writer has failed to observe any modifica- 

 tions of importance in the calyx lobes of the fruit. The 

 size of the calyx cup or " eye " of the apple is influenced 

 by the development of the fruit. In large fruit this open- 

 ing is apt to be large, so that the lobes are separated, re- 

 sulting in an open or partly open calyx. Small or poorly 

 developed apples, on the other hand, usually have the 

 calyx closed. 



Basin. — The depth of the basin seems to depend upon 

 the same factors as that of the cavity and seems to be 

 much more readily influenced than the latter. The width 

 is often associated with the form of the apple, a very con- 

 stricted apex resulting in a narrow basin. A much fur- 

 rowed basin results from a combination of factors un- 

 favorable to the best development of the fruit. 



Skin. — Statements have often appeared in regard to 

 the effect of various climatic factors upon the thickness 

 and toughness of the skin. Estimates of these characters, 

 however, appear to be based entirely upon sense impres- 

 sions of the observers, although it would seem that exact 

 measurements would not be especially difficult. In the 

 absence of such accurate data, an expression of opinion 



