XXVII. 3. THE SWAMP PEAR. 445 



Looked at as they are found in Massachusetts, these would, 

 without hesitation, be regarded as two species. But when all 

 the varieties, from the northern to the southern extremities of 

 their native regions are examined, and found to run into each 

 other by almost imperceptible gradations, they are very justly 

 considered as only forms of one species. It is after such an ex- 

 amination that Drs. Torrey and Gray have arranged all the 

 varieties under the one species A. Canadensis. — Flora of N. A., 

 I, 473. 



Dr. Hooker says (Fl. Bor. Am. I, 203) that Amelanchier ovdlis, 

 according to Dr. Richardson, abounds in the sandy plains of 

 the Saskatchawan, where its wood is prized by the Cree Indians 

 for making pipe-stems and arrows ; and it is thence termed by 

 the Canadian voyageurs, bois de Jleche. Its berries, which are 

 about the size of a pea, are the finest fruit in the country ; and 

 are used by the Cree Indians, both in a fresh and in a dried 

 state. They " make excellent puddings, very little inferior to 

 plum-pudding." 



This plant, as described by the different botanists, affords a 

 striking instance of the effect produced by climate. It is spoken 

 of by Dr. Richardson, in the cold regions where he found it 

 growing, as quite a tree. In England, where it has been culti- 

 vated, it is a small tree. In Massachusetts, one variety is a 

 low tree, the other a shrub. Dr. Darlington describes it, in 

 Pennsylvania, as having a stem from two to four or five feet 

 high ; and Elliot speaks of it as occurring, very rarely, as a 

 small shrub two to three feet high. It is a northern plant, and 

 he probably noticed it on its very extreme southern limit. 



It would be an interesting experiment, well worth trying, 

 to ascertain how far this fruit might be improved by the same 

 kind of cultivation which has been given to the apple. All of 

 the apple family seem to be particularly susceptible of amelio- 

 ration. And if, by a long course of improvement, this fruit 

 should be made to differ from its original stock as much as the 

 golden pippin differs from the sour crab-apple from which it is 

 supposed to have been formed, there are few fruits now known 

 superior to what it would become. 



