pyrus. 285 
existing between the cellular tissues of the apple and pear, founds their distinction 
in the absence or presence of those stony concretions which are to be met with in 
the pear. These concretions he attributes to the aggregation of little globules, 
which by degrees become clogged with an indigestible matter, confusedly depos- 
ited in molecules, from which they receive their opaqueness, hardness, and colour. 
This genus, according to De Candolle and Loudon, may be classified under 
eight sections, all the species of which may be propagated from seeds, and by 
grafting or budding on the wild varieties of each division. The sections and the 
most important species contained in them, we will briefly notice as follows : 
1. Pyrophonim, characterized by flat, spreading petals; five distinct styles; 
pome more or less top-shaped, or sub-globose, without a cavity at the base ; sim- 
ple umbelled pedicels ; and simple leaves, without glands. This section compre- 
hends all the pears, properly so called, and besides the Pyrus communis, and all 
its varieties, it includes the Chinese pear, (Pyrus sinensis,) which, according to 
Dr. Lindley, differs from the common pear, in having longer and greenish branches, 
larger, more lucid, and almost evergreen leaves; insipid, apple-shaped, warted, 
and very gritty fruit ; and a calyx, destitute of down within. The tree is orna- 
mental, and perfectly hardy ; but as a fruit-tree, it is worthless. It also includes 
the Bolhvyller pear, (Pyrus bollwylleriana,) a very distinct variety, with large, 
rough leaves, resembling those of the apple, with small, turbinate, orange-yellow 
fruit, unfit to eat; the notched-leaved pear, (Pyrus crenata,) native of Nepal, 
growing to an elevation of nine or twelve thousand feet above the level of the 
sea, and approaches to Pyrus bollwylleriana; but its leaves are crenated instead 
of being serrated, and its flowers are more numerous ; and the variable-leaved 
pear, (Pyrus variolosa,) likewise a native of Nepal, distinguished by ovate, acu- 
minated, crenate, glabrous leaves, in the adult state, situated on long petioles, but 
when young, clothed with yellowish tomentum beneath. Its fruit is said to be 
inedible until it becomes somewhat decayed ; and has the property of remaining a 
long time on the tree, sometimes even till the flowers appear in the following 
spring. It forms a very handsome tree, is hardy, of tolerably rapid growth, and 
is well worthy of a place in every collection. 
2. Mains, characterized by flat, spreading petals ; five styles, more or less 
strictly connate at the base; pome mostly globose, depressed, and generally 
having a concavity at its base ; flowers in corymbs ; and simple leaves without 
glands. This section includes all the apples and crabs, and besides the Pyrus 
malus and varieties, it comprehends the showy-flowering apple-tree, or Chinese 
crab, (Pyrus spectabilis,) distinguishable by its semi-double, pale, rose-coloured 
flowers, the buds of which, before they expand, are of a deep-red. The stamens 
and pistils are much more numerous than in the other species ; the former some- 
times exceeding forty and the latter twenty in number. The fruit is small, irreg- 
ularly round, angular, about the size of a cherry, and when ripe, is of a yellow 
colour, but without flavour, and is only fit to eat in a state of incipient decay. 
From the beauty of its flowers in early spring, when but few other trees are in 
bloom, it is well worthy of cultivation, and no garden, whether large or small, 
should be without it. 
3. Aria, characterized by flat, spreading petals ; from two to three styles ; glo- 
bose pome; flowers with racemose corymbs, and branched peduncles; simple 
leaves, whitely tomentose beneath, and without glands. This section compre- 
hends the white beam-tree, (Pyrus aria,) and its varieties of Europe and Asia, 
which vary much in a state of culture, and consequently cause great confusion 
among amateurs and botanists. As a useful and an ornamental tree, the white 
beam has some valuable properties. Its wood is universally employed on the 
continent for cogs to the wheels of machinery, and is appropriated to a variety 
of other uses. From the moderate size of the tree, and the definite shape of its 
