e fruit is a drupe, of which the plum and
cherry are examples. We will then take them first into our
consideration, and begin by giving an account of what is the structure
of a drupe.

That part of the carpel called the ovary, which encloses the seed,
thickens, and changes into a fleshy substance, which, as the fruit
matures, softens, and becomes a juicy, and often delicious pulp; this
is the part which we eat in the plum, cherry, apricot, peach, and all
which we call stone-fruits. The lining of the ovary at the same time
extends, and hardens into the stony case which encloses the kernel,
which kernel is the young seed enlarged and perfected. All fruits of
this formation are called drupes, as those of the apple and pear form
are called pomes, and those of the bramble, and some other tribes,
berries. Our woods supply us with two sorts of plum, both edible--the
sloe, or blackthorn (_Prunus spinosa_), and the wild bullace (_P.
institia_.) Every one knows the sloe, at least every one who has spent
any part of his youth amidst woodland scenes; but as there are some
who, having been 'all their life in populous cities pent,' know but
little of country delights, for their benefit we will describe the
growth and appearance of our plants, as well as their qualities,
obvious or hidden. The sloe is more frequently seen as a spiny shrub
than as a tree; but when the suckers are removed, and the strength of
the plant is all allowed to go into one stem, it forms a highly
characteristic small tree. In hedges, it seldom exceeds twenty feet in
height, but in woods and parks, it often attains to thirty. The wood
is hard, and takes a fine polish, but is apt to crack, and is
therefore seldom used, except for the handles of tools, and other such
purposes. It throws up very long upright shoots, which make excellent
walking-sticks; indeed, more are made from this tree throughout Europe
than from any other. The dry branches are valuable in forming hedges,
and protection for young trees, as well as for other agricultural
purposes. The bark is black, whence its name of blackthorn; the
blossoms appear before the leaves, and beautify our hedges with their
delicate whiteness during the cold month of March, when few other
shrubs send forth their blossoms; and this season is therefore called
by country-people 'blackthorn winter.' The leaves form a better
substitute for tea than any other European plant; and they have been,
and are abundantly used in t