THE MEDLAR. 237 



duration. Dr. FothergiU is considered to have in- 

 troduced this native of China, which he cultivated in 

 17S0. The Japan crab, or quince, (Pyrus, or Cydo- 

 nia Japoiiica,) was broug;ht here about 1796 ; but 

 it was described as a very rare plant in the Botani- 

 cal Mag'azine of 1S03. Its blossoms are of a deep 

 red, and its flowers succeed eacli other during many 

 months. The white variety of the Pi/rm Japonica 

 is a yet more recent introduction. It blooms abun- 

 dantly in April and May ; and as it will grow in 

 almost any soil, and may be increased by layers and 

 cuttings, is very valuable as an ornamental tree. 

 The Pyriis pollveria (figured in Loddiges' Botanical 

 Cabinet, vol. xi.) is a native of Germany. Its 

 flowers are beautiful, and its fruit not unpleasant. 

 The Pyrus salicifolia is said to have been introduced 

 into this country by Pallas, the celebrated naturalist. 

 He found it in sandy deserts, between the rivers 

 Terec and Cuma. It grows also on Caucasus and 

 in Persia. With us it is a small tree, with pendulous 

 branches, and beautiful silvery leaves *. 



The Medlar — Mespilus Germanica. 



The medlar is a fruit resembling the smaller 

 apples, and has a good deal of flavour, but is not 

 fit for use until it is very ripe. This ripeness is sel- 

 dom or never attained while the fruit remains on the 

 tree. It is generally understood to be a native of 

 the south of Europe ; but it has been naturalized, 

 though rarely, in the hedgerows in England. 



The common medlar is a middle or small-sized 

 branching tree ; covered with spines in the wild state, 

 and having ash-coloured bark. In Sicily, according 



** Loddiges' Cabinet, vol. xii. 



