186 



end of August ; its value is much lessened by its ripen- 

 ing with the Seckle, and several other pears of high 

 reputation. 



19. MUSK, SPICE, OR ROUSSELET DE RHEIMS. 



This excellent and popular pear, is less than the 

 medium size the form is oval, a little produced to- 

 wards the stem, which is short and thick, the hlossom 

 end round and even ; the eye large ; the skin a green- 

 ish yellow, with a brilliant cheek towards the Sun, 

 sometimes red, sometimes brown, spotted with small 

 dots in every part ; the flesh is half breaking, fine, and 

 of a high and very peculiar musky flavour, whence H 

 derives its name in common use* 



The tree is remarkably vigorous, grows with long 

 shoots like the Catharine, from which it is often called 

 the late Catharine, or autumn Catharine ; it does not 

 bear till large, it is then very fruitful ; the time of ri- 

 pening in August and September ; it is eaten in the 

 highest perfection when fully ripe from the tree. 



