PEARS. 



105 



BEqUESNE. Pr. CAT. Roz. Duh. Coxe. 



Bequene. Quin. ? Evel. ? 



This pear is two inches six lines in height, and two inches 

 four lines in diameter ; it is often somewhat protuberant at one 

 side and arched on the other — its greatest diameter is about 

 midway of its height, and it diminishes in size towards the two 

 extremities, especially next to the stem ; the skin is slightly 

 tinged with red next the sun, and in a great measure covered, 

 especially on that side with dots and spots of a grayish or rus- 

 set hue ; the shade side acquires a lemon colour when the fruit 

 is ripening. The flesh is firm, but it becomes soft and acquires 

 a beautiful colour when cooked, and is excellent for that pur- 

 pose and for preserves. It begins to ripen in October, and keeps 

 until in February. The tree is strong and vigorous, and suc- 

 ceeds better when grafted on the pear than on the quince. De 

 la Quintinye mentions a pear called Bequene at that day, but 

 I scarcely suppose it can be synonymous with the one described. 



WINTER THORN. Pr. cat. Miz. 

 Epine d^hiver. Roz. Duh. Mil. For. Coxe. 



This fruit is twenty-six lines in diameter and thirty in height, 

 the end next the stalk diminishes by degrees and terminates in 

 a very obtuse point ; the stem is pretty large, ten to fourteen 

 lines in length, and somewhat fleshy at its junction — it is 

 sometimes inserted even with the extremity of the fruit, and in 

 other cases between several furrows and small projections, 

 which form a kind of cavity at the place of its insertion. 

 Frequently there is a shallow groove quite conspicuous, which 

 extends from the stem to the eye, the latter of which is situated 

 nearly even with the extremity of the fruit ; the skin is uniform and 

 very smooth, of a whitish green hue, but becomes very yellow 

 at maturity ; the flesh is melting, of a musky flavour, and very 

 agreeable taste ; the seeds are oblong, well perfected, and of 



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