188 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 



PYRUS, Linnaeus. Nat. Ord. Pomaceae. 

 Icosandria, Pentagynia, Linn. Calyx 5-cleft. 

 Petals 5. Fruit a 5 -celled, many seeded 

 apple. 



1. P. ARIA, Smith. Leaves ovate, cut and 

 serrated, white and downy beneath. Flowers 

 corymbose. Fruit globose. White beam. 

 Native of Britain. Flowering in June. 



At a distance, has much the appearance of 

 a mulberry tree. The downy under surface 

 makes a fine contrast to the deep green of 

 the upper. It thrives best in a limestone 

 soil, where it frequently reaches fifty feet 

 high, but it will do well in any firm loam in 

 an open situation. It varies much in foliage, 

 sometimes being quite pinnatifid. The P. 

 pinnatifida, Ehr., and P. hybrida (Sorbus), 

 Linn., are now considered varieties of this. 

 It may be propagated by seeds sown as soon 

 as they are ripe in a box, or protected situa 

 tion ; or by budding on the mountain ash. The 

 latter mode is the commonest, but such trees 

 are not near so desirable, as those on their 

 own roots. 



2. P. AUCUPARIA, Gcertner. Leaves pin 

 nated, glabrous, leaflets serrated. Flowers 



