PYRUS 



275 



or rounded at the apex; margins doubly toothed; upper surface bright green, 

 smooth except when quite young; always covered with a close white felt 

 beneath ; stalk ^ to I in. long. Flowers dull white, heavy scented, about in. 

 across, and produced towards the end of May in corymbs 2 to 3 ins. across ; 

 stalks and calyx covered with white down. Fruit oval or roundish, J to ^ in. 

 long, scarlet-red specked with brownish dots. 



Native of the British Isles and pretty general over Europe, also found in 

 some of its forms in Asia Minor and N. Africa. There is no tree more 



PTRUS ARIA. 



characteristic of the chalk hills of Britain or more beautiful in regard to foliage 

 and fruit, but it is often reduced to a mere shrub. It is very effective in the 

 breeze when the wind, by lifting the leaves, reveals the pure white under- 

 surface to the observer in kaleidoscopic glimpses. Although apparently 

 preferring the limestone in a state of nature, it thrives quite well under 

 cultivation in almost any well-drained soil. A tree well laden with the bright 

 red fruits is also one of the most beautiful of autumn pictures ; only, owing to 

 the depredations of birds, often of short duration. It is best propagated by 



