72 POME^. [part I. 



Cratsegus were formerly considered to belong 

 to the genus Mespilus. This genus, which is 

 now almost confined to the common Medlar 

 {Mespilus germanica)^ agrees with Crataegus in 

 having each seed enclosed in a bony covering, 

 but it differs in the limb of the calyx being 

 in large leafy segments ; and in the disk being 

 very large and visible even^vhen the fruit is ripe, 

 from the tubular part of the calyx not closing 

 over it. 



Among the plants formerly included in the 

 genus Mespilus, may be mentioned Photinia 

 serrulafa, and Eriohotrya japonica, both natives 

 of Japan. The first of these was once 

 called Cratcegus glabra^ and it is remarkable for 

 its beautiful glossy leaves, which are of a deep 

 green when old, and beautifully tinged with red 

 when young ; the flowers are white, and they 

 are produced in what botanists call corymbose 

 panicles. There are some other species of the 

 genus Photinia, but only two or three are com- 

 mon in British gardens. Eriohotrya japonica^ 

 the Loquat-tree, was formerly called Mespilus 

 japonica. It is remarkable for its large and 

 handsome leaves, which are woolly on the under 

 side. The flowers, which are small and white, 

 are produced in large panicles, and they are 

 followed by large pendulous bunches of the 

 yellow pear-shaped fruit, which is covered with 



