TEAKS. 



105 



BEQUESNE. PH. CAT. Roz. DUH. COXE. 



Bequene. Quin. ? Evel. ? 



This pear is two inches six lines in height, and two inches 

 four lines in diameter ; it is often somewhat protuberant at one 

 side and arched on the other its greatest diameter is about 

 midway of its height, and it diminishes in size towards the two 

 extremities, especially next to the stem ; the skin is slightly 

 tinged with red next the sun, and in a great measure covered, 

 especially on that side with dots and spots of a grayish or rus- 

 se* hue ; the shade side acquires a lemon colour when the fruit 

 is ripening. The flesh is firm, but it becomes soft and acquires 

 a beautiful colour when cooked, and is excellent for that pur- 

 pose and for preserves. It begins to ripen in October, and keeps 

 until in February. The tree is strong and vigorous, and suc- 

 ceeds better when grafted on the pear than on the quince. De 

 la Quintinye mentions a pear called Bequene at that day, but 

 I scarcely suppose it can be synonymous with the one described. 



WINTER THORN. PR. OAT. MIL. 

 Epine d'hiver. Roz. Duh. Mil. For. Coxe. 



This fruit is twenty-six lines in diameter and thirty in height, 

 the end next the stalk diminishes by degrees and terminates in 

 a very obtuse point ; the stem is pretty large, ten to fourteen 

 lines in length, and somewhat fleshy at its junction it is 

 sometimes inserted even with the extremity of the fruit, and in 

 other cases between several furrows and small projections, 

 which form a kind of cavity at the place of its insertion. 

 Frequently there is a shallow groove quite conspicuous, which 

 extends from the stem to the eye, the latter of which is situated 

 nearly even with the extremity of the fruit ; the skin is uniform and 

 very smooth, of a whitish green hue, but becomes very yellow 

 at maturity ; the flesh is melting, of a musky flavour, and very 

 agreeable taste ; the seeds are oblong, well perfected, and of 



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