LANDMARKS OF BOTANICAL HISTORY — GREENE 313 



Also inasmuch as most of the pears which one sees in the fruit 

 marts of to-day are quite pear-shaped, I shall begin with one which 

 Cordus knew that was globose as an apple. 



"Kaulbirn, that is, Globe Pear, is almost as round as a globe, 

 except that at base it ends in a blunt and scarcely manifest protu- 

 berance. It is hardly two inches long, seldom at all exceeding that, 

 and the diameter is a trifle greater than the length. The color is 

 altogether pale green ; the flesh very tender, melting in the mouth, 

 and of a mild delicious flavor, and by its abundant juiciness satis- 

 fying thirst, delightfully fragrant when pared. This matures at 

 the beginning of autumn, and is very perishable. It is cultivated 

 about Eisleben. 



" Hauffbirn, that is, Hemp Pear, is similar to the Globe, but a 

 little larger, in color green, with darker spots and dots; in flavor 

 answering to the Globe, but the flesh not as tender and juicy; 

 matures at the same time and soon decays. This also is grown at 

 Eisleben. 



" Glockenbirn, that is, Bell Pear, is abruptly narrowed below 

 into a narrow neck, this again at the very base widening into a 

 blunt head-like protuberance, the fruit as a whole having the con- 

 figuration of a bell,' whence it has its name. The color is yellow, 

 well specked with green, the length a trifle less than three inches, 

 the diameter not more than two inches. Rather fragrant when 

 pared; the flavor that of the Hemp Pear; matures at the same 

 time with that and is perishable. Grown in quantities at 

 Eisleben. 



"KuNiGSBiRN, that is, Royal Pear. Large and ventricose, some- 

 times four inches long, the diameter somewhat less; color blue-green, 

 but on the side exposed to the sun faintly reddening. Flavor a 

 trifle astringent, flesh somewhat juicy and vinous, assuaging thirst. 

 Matures at the end of September and is not very perishable. " 



It is perhaps less difficult to describe apples well, than pears; 

 and all those familiar to Cordus are very vividly depicted. We 

 present two or three: 



"Hartlinge Weiss, that is. White Harding: Somewhat 

 depressed-globose, the height about two inches, the diameter two 

 and a half or somewhat more. Colored reddish-yellow on the sun- 

 ward side, elsewhere greenish-white, dotted with specks that seem 

 to lie beneath the transparent epiderm. Flesh tender though firm, 

 juicy, of an acid- vinous and excellent flavor; the fruit fragrant 



> That is to say, a hand bell, with its handle. 



