PEARS. 



119 



was raised here and there by some slight projections of consi- 

 derable breadth ; the eye was placed in a broad depression, 

 with a pretty regular border, and the stem, of an inch in 

 length, was placed in a cavity, one side of which was even, 

 whilst the other presented two large protuberances ; the skin 

 was almost wholly a lemon colour, with a faint reddish tint on 

 the side next the sun, and the whole surface was likewise inter- 

 spersed with numerous russet specks ; the flesh was white, 

 firm, breaking, granulated, of an agreeable odour, with an 

 acid flavour which scarcely allowed of its being eaten raw — 

 when cooked, however, it acquires a red colour, and a sweet 

 and very pleasant flavour ; the seeds are dark brown, and 

 nearly always abortive. This elegant fruit is cultivated in 

 Provence, where it ripens in October and November, and will 

 doubtless keep well and become meliorated in its quality dur- 

 ing the winter months. The proprietors of the Parisian nur- 

 series are advised to cultivate it on account of its size, which 

 renders it a suitable ornament for the dessert, and on account 

 of its excellence when cooked. A single pear is large enough 

 to make a compote." 



BELLE AUDIBERT. Pr. cat. N. Duh. Lond. hort. cat. 



This pear was also sent from Provence to the editors of the 

 New Duhamel, as a variety of the Forty ounces, or Quarante- 

 onces just described ; but it appeared of too distinct a charac- 

 ter, in its general form, not to be distinguished, and they in 

 consequence gave it the title it bears. 



It varies from the Forty ounces by being less in size and 

 pretty regularly rounded — in having its surface free from nu- 

 merous swellings and projections, and by being somewhat com- 

 pressed in its breadth ; it is four inches wanting a line in its 

 diameter in one direction, and only three inches three lines in 

 the other ; its height is also but three inches one or two lines ; 

 the skin is a very pale yellow on the shaded side, and the part 

 opposite is of a light orange colour, with two or three oblong 

 touches of russet ; the flesh is firm, breaking, granulated, of 



