72 FAMILIAR TREES 
physic gardens, rather than in herbaria; and if the 
prominent place given to “the vertues” in their de- 
scriptions ranks them among students of applied 
botany rather than of pure science, it does not 
seem to have blinded them to the importance of 
anatomical investigation. 
Botanists seem to have been generally at a loss 
for an apt comparison for the leaves of P. tor- 
minalis. We have already quoted the difference of 
opinion as to Pliny’s reference to the Plane, and 
have alluded to the modern name “ Maple Service.” 
Caspar Bauhin, who classes the tree in the genus 
Mespilus (with the Medlars, that is), calls it Mespilus 
Apii folio sylvestris non spinosa, or Thornless Wild 
Parsley-leaved Medlar; and Ray compares the leaves 
to those of the Water Elder or Wild Guelder-rose, 
adding the qualification, “pedis anserini forma” 
(shaped like the foot of a goose). 
Without trying to match it among other plants, 
we may recognise that the form, the lightness, and 
the early autumnal colouring of the leaf give to the 
Wild Service-tree what.ver claim it has on the score 
of beauty to a place in our shrubberies. The fresh 
green turns to light golden brown, and this, mingled 
with green, as yet unchanged, and patches of purer 
gold, is by no means a despicable contribution te 
the glories of autumn. 
