465 



the base (Fig. 504 D) ; leaf-stalk shorter than the blade. Sorbus 

 (Mountain-ash) differs only in having a 2-3-locnlar fruit with 

 extremely thin endocarp. Cymose inflorescences in umbellate 

 cymes. S. aucuparia has pinnate leaves, S. aria (White-beam) and other 

 species have simple leaves. Amelanchier (the Service-tree) has a false divi- 

 sional wall springing from the dorsal suture, and more or less projecting into 

 each of the loculi of the ovary ; Raphiolepis (Fig. 504 E) has racemes and a 

 juicy berry; Eriobotryajaponica (Loquat). 



B. CRATEGEJ:. THE ENDOCARP is HARD AND sour ("drupes," 

 generally with several, sometimes, however, with only 1-2 stones, 

 rarely one multilocular stone; only 1 seed in each of the loculi). 

 Cratce.gus (Hawthorn, May). There are 1-5 stones in the spherical 

 or ovoid fruit. The disc, found on the apex of the fruit, inside 

 the small, withered calyx, is small (much less than the transverse 

 -section of the fruit). Shrubs with thorns (branches) and mode- 

 rately largo flowers borne in corymbs. M espilus (Medlar) differs 

 from the last-named only in having a large disc at the apex of the 

 fruit, inside the large, leaf-like sepals, i.e. almost equal to the 

 greatest diameter of the fruit. The flowers are solitary and ter- 

 minal. Cotoneaster is chiefly distinguished from the others by 

 its syncarps, the 2-5 carpels (and stones) being free from one 

 another, and only united to the receptacle by a larger or smaller 

 portion of their dorsal surface (Figs. 504 A, B). Small shrubs 

 with leathery leaves, generally covered with white, felted hairs on 

 the lower surface, and with small flowers ; the fruit is red or 

 black. 



Pear, Apple, Mountain Ash and Hawthorn have protogynous flowers which 

 secrete honey, and are conspicuous to ensure insect pollination. 180 species ; 

 iiu the northern temperate regions. Pear and Apple are especially cultivated 

 as fruit trees in a number o varieties; the Paradise Apple (Pyrus baccata) ; 

 -especially in southern countries also the Quince (from N. Persia and the 

 Caucasian districts), Medlar and Amelanchier vulgaris. Malus pumila (Caucasus, 

 Altai) and M. dasyphylla (Orient, S. Eur.) are regarded as primitive forms of 

 the Apple-tree ; M. sylvestris, which grows wild in European forests, appears to 

 have been less used. The early Lake-dwellers in Switzerland had the apple- 

 tree both wild and cultivated. The original form of the Pear is supposed to be 

 Pyrus achras (Central Asia) . Many of the species of Cratcegus, some with double 

 flowers, and Pyrus (Ch&nomeles) japonica, with brilliant red flowers, are culti- 

 vated as ornamental shrubs. OFFICINAL : Quince pips, on account of the 

 mucilaginous testa. The fruits contain free organic acids and sugar; prussic 

 acid -nay be obtained from the seeds. The wood of the Pear-tree is used in 

 manufactures. 



