. Lessons with plants. Suggestions for seeing and interpreting some of the common forms of vegetation. o theflesh portion ? 345. If the remains of the stamens are attachedto the flesh portion, it would seem to indicatethat the flesh of the apple is derived from thecalyx-tube; and this supposition is strengthenedby the fact that only the core sits upon thestem (or upon what was the receptacle of theflower). From these considerations, it might seem APPLES AND THEIR LIKE 291 that the edible portionof the apple is thickenedcalyx-tube, with thespaces between the car-pels filled up by thethickening
. Lessons with plants. Suggestions for seeing and interpreting some of the common forms of vegetation. o theflesh portion ? 345. If the remains of the stamens are attachedto the flesh portion, it would seem to indicatethat the flesh of the apple is derived from thecalyx-tube; and this supposition is strengthenedby the fact that only the core sits upon thestem (or upon what was the receptacle of theflower). From these considerations, it might seem APPLES AND THEIR LIKE 291 that the edible portionof the apple is thickenedcalyx-tube, with thespaces between the car-pels filled up by thethickening walls of thepistil, and the line ofdemarcation between thepistil and calyx markedby the fibrous bundlesand connecting tissueshown in the cross-sec-tions (Figs. 295, 296). 346. The interpretationof the architecture ofthe apple is not sosimple as it looks, how-ever. Some botanistsbelieve that the outerand fleshy portion rep-resents calyx, but thatthe receptacle extendsupwards and lines thiscalyx-tube (and therebyimmediately invests thecore), and bears thestamens on its is, the flower may. Fio. in the apple 292 LJUSSOWS WITB PLANTS be essentially hypogynous, rather than perigy-nous. But there is no really good reason forsupposing that there is a receptacle-lining on thecalyx-tube; and since many related plants areclearly perigynous, it might be inferred that theapple flower is also perigynous. This conceptionof the upward extension of the receptacle insidethe calyx-tube has been the dominant interpreta-tion of the apple, in this country. 347. If the receptacle extends upwards at all,beyond the base of the ovary, why not supposethat the entire flesh of the apple is thickenedreceptacle, and that the calyx and stamens areborne upon its rim? If the outer portion of theapple is receptacle, then it is essentially a stemstructure. Fig. 297 shows a bract or minute leafon the side of an apple (at A). This monstrosityis common. Since leaves are outgrowths of stems
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