POMOLOGY AS A STUDY. 



159 



The three main divisions rest upon the position of the stamens in the 

 calyx tube. Thus, in group 1 they are marginal, i.e. at the mouth of the 

 tube ; in 2 they are median, namely at the middle of the tube ; and in 3 

 they are basal, that is, at the bottom of the tube. These characters are 

 occasionally sufficiently clear to be recognised, but in many instances it is 

 impossible to assign a definite position to what remnants of the stamens 

 are visible in the matured fruits. The late Mr. A. F. Barron came to this 

 conclusion some years before I had been able to devote more than a 

 cursory examination to the matter, and there is good reason to believe 

 that, had Dr. Hogg lived to issue another edition of his great work, 

 considerable alterations would have been made in this respect. In con- 

 sequence they are here discarded. 



The next main divisions are founded upon the shape of the calyx tube 

 beneath the eye, as seen when a vertical section is taken. These are two, 

 namely (1) conical and (2) funnel-shaped, and though they vary in form 

 in different specimens, these two divisions are generally readily dis- 

 tinguishable, the first giving a triangular outline with straight sides, 

 while the second is cup-shaped at the top and contracted into a more 

 or less narrow tube at the base. As each of the three groups founded 

 upon the position of the stamens was subdivided in this way, four of 

 these would now have to be discarded, and the remaining sections would 

 be arranged under the two named. 



The shape of the cells (the core containing the seeds) is taken advan- 

 tage of to form other divisions. This character is seen when the Apple 

 is cut vertically, i.e. from the eye to the stalk. These forms are four, 

 namely, round, ovate (broadest at the base), obovate (broadest at the 

 upper part), and elliptical, which present no great difficulties in discrimina- 

 tion. Each of these groups is subdivided according to the relation of the 

 cells to the axis of the fruit, as seen in a cross section through the centre. 

 If the walls of the cells extend to the centre, the term "axile " is used ; if 

 they do not reach the centre, as seen in all so-called hollow-cored Apples, 

 the term " abaxile " is employed, and I have not found any great difficulties 

 in the utilisation of these characters. 



The calyx (or eye) divisions supply material for four other sections 

 under each of those already named. These are (a) divergent, with the 

 divisions turned back and spreading (=open eye) ; (b) erect convergent, 

 with the divisions rising straight from the' eye and tending towards the 

 centre, partly closing the eye ; (c) flat convergent, when the divisions 

 spread in a flat manner, partly closing the eye ; and (d) connivent, in which 

 the segments close the eye completely. 



Next in order the form of the fruit is taken, namely round or oblate, 

 and conical or ovate ; the colouring follows, i.e. pale, striped, coloured, or 

 russet. To further aid in distinguishing varieties, minor characters are 

 at command derived from the skin surface, which may be rough, smooth, 

 or unctuous. The flesh may be soft or hard, succulent or dry ; while the 

 flavour offers numberless variations. The depression or prominence of 

 the eye, the position, length, and thickness of the stalk also afford many 

 points of value. 



The general arrangement of the known varieties of Apples, with the 

 modifications suggested, would thus be in the appended form : 



