( 90 ) 



Without l^harns. 



8. Mespilus nivea. Early ripe^ Efculent 



fruited Medlar^ or wild Service. 



This rifes frequently to the height of fifteen or 

 twenty feet, dividing into feveral branches, which 

 are without thorns, and covered with a fmooth, 

 whitifli, fpotted bark. The leaves are of an oblong 

 oval; pointed, flightly and acutely ferrated, hairy 

 and whitifh at their firft appearance, but becoming 

 fmooth and of a dark green, cfpecially upon their 

 upper fides. The flowers are produced from the 

 fides of the fmall branches in loofe bunches or pa- 

 nicles, of a fnowy white colour, and are fucceeded 

 by fruit near the fize of a Goole-berry, which arc 

 foft, fucculent, fweet tafted, and purplifli coloured 

 when ripe. The flowers of this come out before the 

 leaves are expanded, perfeftly white, and thick fet 

 upon the branches, making a fine appearance. The 

 fruit is ripe in June, pretty large and of an agreea- 

 ble tafte. There is a variety of this of fmaller 

 growth, but of the fame appearance. 



9. Mespilus prunifolia. Plumb leaved Medlar. 



This grows naturally in moid places rifing with 

 flendcr ftems to the height of fix or eight feet, di- 

 viding into but few branches and without thorns. 

 The leaves are invcrfe egg-fliaped, pointed, flightly 

 ferrated, of a dark green on their upper furface, 

 but lighter and downy underneath. The flowers 

 are produced at the ex6»remity of the branches in 

 clufliers, and are fucceeded by fmall fruit of a dark 

 purplifli colour when ripe. 



There 



