Genus AMELANCHIER, Medic. 



Rosaceae. Icosandria Di-Pentagynia. 



Syst. Nat. Syst. Lin. 



Synonymes. 



Amelanchier, Mespilus, Aronia, Cratcsgus, Fyrus, Of Authors. 



Derivations. Ayndancier, according to Clusius, is derived from anulaiicier, the old Savoy name for the Amelanchier ruigarii. 

 The other names have been applied to the trees of this genus, from the resemblance they were supposed to bear to the medlar 

 thorn, etc. 



Generic Characters. Ovaries 5, each divided by a partition, so that there are 10 cells ; ovules, 1 in each 

 cell. Ripe pome including 3 5 carpels. Petals lanceolate. Leaves simple, serrate, deciduous. 

 Flowers in racemes. Loudon, Arboretum. 



'; 



I HE genus Amelanchier occurs in but two forms sufficiently dis- 

 tinct to be regarded as species, namely, the common amelan- 

 chier of Europe, (A. vulgaris,) and the Amelanchier canadensis, 

 (June berry,) of North America. The former is a native of moun- 

 tainous woods, among rocks, in different parts of the continent, as 

 the Alps, the Pyrenees, Fontainbleau, &., and has been culti- 

 vated in Britain since 1596, where it forms a most desirable low tree, fifteen or 

 twenty feet in height, on account of its early and numerous flowers, which cover 

 the tree like a white sheet, about the middle of April, and, in very mild seasons, 

 even in March. Its fruit is round, soft, eatable, and ripens in July, soon aft<- 

 which, it drops off, or is eaten by birds. It may be propagated from seeds or by 

 grafting on the hawthorn or the quince. 



To the same natural family belongs the common medlar of Europe, (Mespilus 

 germanica,) a tree which was known to the Greeks, and has been cultivated in 

 Britain for an indefinite period. As an ornamental shrub, it well deserves a 

 place in every collection, from the tortuous, fantastic appearance of its branches, 

 its large leaves, large white flowers, and rich-looking persistent calyxes, which 

 accompany its fruit. There are several varieties of this species, among which, 

 what is called the " Dutch medlar," is reckoned the best. The fruit, however, 

 is not eaten till in a state of incipient decay, when it is very agreeable to somt 

 palates; though, as Du Hamel observes, it is probably more " un fruit de fantai- 

 sie,^' than one of real utility. 



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