And for this same reason the pear is a fruit. It is the case in which is laid the seedbox of the pear tree. This case, when ripe, happens to be juicy and delicious; but it would be quite as much a fruit if it were dry and hard, and without taste. And so the rose hip is a fruit, because it is the case which holds the little seedboxes of the rose flower. What is the fruit of the milkweed? All country children know the milkweed plant, with its big bright leaves, and bunches of pink or red or purple flowers (Fig. 17). And you know the puffy pods that later split open, letting out a mass of brown, silky-tailed seeds. There! I have given the answer to my own question; for if the plant’s fruit is the seed-holding part, then the milkweed’s fruit must be this pod stuffed full of beautiful, fairy-like seeds. [Illustration: FIG. 17] Then you know the burdock (Fig. 18) which grows along the country road. But perhaps you do not know that the fruit of this is the prickly burr which hooks itself to your clothes on your way to school. This burr (Fig. 19) is the case which holds the little seeds of the burdock, and so it must be its fruit. [Illustration: FIG. 18] [Illustration: FIG. 19] [Illustration: FIG. 20] The fruit of the dandelion is the silvery puffball (Fig. 20) or “clock,” by blowing at which you try to tell the time of day. If you pull off one of the feathery objects which go to make up the puffball, at its lower end you see a little dandelion seedbox (Fig. 21). And these fall days, along the roadsides and in the woods, everywhere you see fruits which you will hardly know as such unless you keep in mind the true meaning of the word. Many of these I am sure you would not care to eat. The burr from the burdock would not make a pleasant mouthful. Neither would you like to breakfast on a milkweed pod. And a quantity of dandelion puffballs would hardly add to the enjoyment of your supper. [Illustration: FIG. 21] If you should tell your mother you had brought her some fruit, and should show her a basket of burrs and pods, she would think you were only joking, and perhaps a little foolish; and I dare say she would be greatly surprised to find you were using the word quite rightly. MORE COUSINS OF THE APPLE [Illustration: FIG. 22] The apple has three cousins, all of whom are very much alike. These cousins are the cherry, the plum, and the peach (Figs. 22, 23, 24). All three belong to the Rose family. Have you ever noticed the great family likeness between these three fruits? Look at them in the pictures. To be sure, they are of different sizes, but they are almost alike in shape. And if you should cut them open lengthwise, right through the stony center, all three would look much like the next picture, which is taken from a peach (Fig. 25). All these fruits have the soft outer part which you find so pleasant to the taste. [Illustration: FIG. 23] [Illustration: FIG. 24]