Mark Wells, age 9, of Jamestown, N.Y., for his question:

 WHY DO WE CALL THEM EGGPLANTS?

The eggplant is a vegetable that is closely related to the potato. It has long been grown for its large, fleshy fruit that is pear  or egg shaped. It received its name because its fruit is shaped like a giant egg.

An eggplant, as the fruit itself is called, can measure 12 inches in length and eight inches in width. It is usually shiny dark purple in color although some types are yellow, white or striped.

The fruit hangs down among downy, greenish gray leaves. Flowers of the plant are purple and are about two inches wide.

The plants are cultivated in the United states as far north as New York, but the plants are grown for market primarily in Texas, Florida and New Jersey. The plants are grown commercially only in the warmer months.

Eggplants donut have too many vitamins, but they are popular for their flavor and because they are low in calories.