ction of
"inferior" fruits. A very frequent malformation in pears is one wherein
a second pear proceeds from the centre of the first, and even a third
from the centre of the second.[174] Pears are occasionally also observed
arising either from the axils of the sepals of the primary pear or from
the axil of leaves originating on the outer surface of the fruits--using
the term fruit in its popular sense. These cases afford strong
confirmation of the view that the outer portion of the so-called fruit
in these plants is rather to be considered as an expansion and
hollowing-out of the flower-stalk, than as formed from the calyx-tube.
It is noteworthy that the true carpels and seeds are frequently entirely
absent in these cases.[175] Further reference to these fruits will be
made under the head of Hypertrophy.

M. Trecul has described and figured an instance in a species of
_Prismatocarpus_, in which a second flower proceeded from the axil of a
bract attached to the side of the fruit of the first flower.[176] A
similar growth was observed in the fruit of _Philadelphus speciosus_ by
M. A. Gris, who observed that the so-called calyx-tube was provided with
two small bracts, from the axil of one of which proceeded a small
flower-bud.[177]

[Illustration: FIG. 93.--Small buds projecting from the edges of the
fruit in _Opuntia_.]

The fruits of _Opuntia Salmiana_, _O. fragilis_,[178] _O. monacantha_,
and of some species of _Echinocactus_, have been observed to form small
fruit-like branches around their summits. M. Napoleon Doumet describes
the fruit as ripening as usual, but as being destitute of seeds in the
interior; after a little while the fruit begins to wither, and then a
circle of small buds, like those of the stem, may be seen at the top of
the fruit, each bud springing from the axil of a little tuft of wool and
spines found on the fruit. These little buds elongate into long shoots,
produce flowers the following year, which flowers exhibit the same
peculiarity. Gasparini and Tenore are said to have recorded the same
fact as long since as 1832. The specimen from which the figure (fig. 93)
was taken produced its fruits in the Royal Gardens at Kew, and is now
preserved in the museum of that establishment. The adventitious growth
in these cases appears to arise from the tufts of spines, which, it has
been suggested, are the homologues of the sepals. There can, however, be
little doubt that the outer and lower portion of the