291 



some : when sodden or baked with honey? 

 they agree with the stomach." 



Some pears were used as a counterpoison 

 against the venomous mushrooms ; the ashes 

 of the pear-tree wood are also used for the 

 same medicinal purpose. 



The wild pear-tree, as well as the crab- 

 apple, appears to be a native of this country, 

 where it is often found growing, particularly 

 in Somersetshire and Sussex. 



At what period the cultivated pear was 

 first brought into this country we have no 

 account ; but we may surmise that the Ro- 

 mans did not neglect the propagation of this 

 fruit when they were masters of Britain. 

 The pear is mentioned by all our early 

 writers. Gerard says, in his time, to write 

 of pears and apples would require a parti- 

 cular volume : every country, says he, " hath 

 his peculiar fruit ; myselfe knowe some one 

 curious, who hath in one peece of ground, 

 at the point of three score sundrie sorts of 

 pears, and those exceeding good ; not doubt- 

 ing but, if his minde had been to seek after 

 multitudes, he might have gotten togither the 

 like number of those of worsse kindes. Mas- 

 ter Richard Pointer/' he says, " has them all 

 growing in his ground at Twicknam, near 

 London, who is a most cunning and curious 



