31 



its length next the base, and very much contracted at the point 

 of junction with the peduncle, where it terminates in a pyra- 

 midal shape. It is altogether three and a half inches in height 

 and twenty-eight lines in its greatest diameter, but at an inch 

 below the stem its diameter does not exceed twelve lines ; the 

 stem is about fifteen lines in length, and almost invariably 

 inserted in rather a lateral direction and within a small cavity ; 

 the eye is even with the fruit, surrounded with many small 

 sweHings which extend to the middle of the fruit or further, 

 and form in the course of its height several undulations or 

 slightly projecting ridges. The flesh is firm, rather sweet, 

 and moderately perfumed ; the seeds are dark brown and often 

 one half abortive. This fruit ripens at the middle of August. 

 It has been cultivated for some time at the Jardin des Plantes 

 at Paris, under the title of Bellissime d^tU^ a name which be- 

 longs to a very different fruit. 



CASSOLETTE. Pe.cat. Quin. Evel. Roz. O. Duh. Mil. For, 



Petite cassolette. N. Duh. 

 Friolet, ^ 



Muscat-vert, > Quin. Roz. Duh. syn. Mil. 

 L^chefrion, ) 



Mus^rZt \ "^'"'P^^^ quotations of some authors. 

 Small Cassolette. 



Green Muscat, or Eche frion, Evel. 



This pear is frequently very small, and but nineteen to 

 twenty lines in height and sixteen in diameter ; at other times, 

 as Duhamel remarks, it is above two inches in height and 

 twenty lines in diameter. Its general shape is pyriform, 

 rounded at the head ; at the other extremity is a small cavity, 

 of very even form, from which rises the peduncle whose length 

 is from five to seven lines. The skin is bright green, with a 

 very little red on the sunny side ; the flesh is firm and break- 

 ing, but delicate notwithstanding, and of a sweet and musky 

 flavour. The seeds are brown, and the fruit ripens at the end 

 of August. 



