138 VOICES FROM THE WOODLANDS. 



develope in its fair proportions from a block of granite. 

 " To say that the one has life, the other not, is an answer 

 that solves nothing it consists of empty words/' 



According to De Theis, the generic name of the wild 

 pear is derived from the Celtic word perm, whence the 

 Anglo-Saxon pere, the English pear, and the French poire. 

 This tall tree, of which the main branches are upright, and 

 the smaller ones curve downward, grows best in a fertile 

 soil, and on sloping ground ; but will riot thrive in moist 

 valleys, where the hawthorn loves to nestle. It braves the 

 severest winters, and does not injure the herbage that 

 grows beneath its shade. The wood, when cut, and ready 

 for the carpenter, is light, compact, and smooth; it is 

 consequently in much request with turners, and is used for 

 joiners' tools, and picture-frames to be stained black. The 

 fruit of the wild tree is harsh, and is relished only by swine 

 or hedgehogs ; but, when cultivated, is extremely grateful 

 to the taste, and at least one hundred .varieties have 

 originated from the native species, 



