rea, four or five
medlars, joined together and surmounted by all the persistent leaflets
of the calyces.[49]

A very remarkable example of Syncarpy has been recorded by E. Koenig
in which nine strawberries were borne on one stem (_Fragaria
botryformis_),[50] and a similar malformation has been observed in the
Pineapple.

When two fruits are united together they may be of about equal size,
while in other cases one of the two is much smaller than the other. This
was the case in two cucumbers given to me by Mr. James Salter. These
were united together along their whole length excepting at the very
tips; the upper one of the two was much larger than the lower, and
contained three cells, the lower fruit was one-celled by suppression.
Both fruits were curved, the curvature being evidently due to the more
rapid growth of the upper as compared with the lower one.

[Illustration: FIG. 19.--Adhesion of two apples.]

[Illustration: FIG. 20.--Section of united apples.]

In many of these cases, where the fruits are united by their bases, the
summits become separated one from the other, so as to resemble the
letter V. Such divergence is of frequent occurrence where fruits are
united by their stalks, because, as growth goes on, the tendency must
necessarily be towards separation and divergence of the tips of the
fruit.

In some cases of Syncarpy the fusion and interpenetration of the carpels
is carried to such an extent that it is very difficult to trace on the
outer surface the lines of union. The fruit in these cases resembles a
single one of much larger size than usual. Moquin mentions a double
apple in which the connection was so close that the fruit was not very
different in form from what is customary, and a similar thing happens
with the tomato. In the case of stone-fruits it sometimes happens, not
only that the outer portions are adherent, but that the stones are so
likewise.

M. Roeper has observed two apples grafted together, one of which had
its stalk broken, and seemed evidently borne and nourished by the other
apple;[51] and a similar occurrence happens not infrequently in the
cucumber. Moquin has seen three united cherries having only a single
stalk jointed to the central fruit, the lateral cherries having each a
slight depression or cicatrix marking the situation of the suppressed
stalks. Schlotterbec has figured three apples presenting precisely
similar appearances.[52]

Fusion of two or more nuts (_Corylus_