THE APPLE FAMILY. 



407 



vated places in this country. The fruit is about the size of 

 a very small apple, having the lobes of the calyx well deve- 

 loped, and permanent on its apex. It is unfit for eating when 

 fresh gathered, but after several weeks' keeping the pulp be- 

 comes like an over-ripe pear ; it has then a pleasant subacid 

 flavour. 



Loquat or Japan Medlar {Eriohotrya Japonica). A tree 

 of considerable size, with large, elliptical, rough, strong 

 veined leaves. In Japan and China it is cultivated for its 

 fruit, which is about the size of a small plum, and is pro- 

 duced in clusters. It is cultivated in the Australian colcnies 

 and in France and other parts of the South of Europe, where 

 it fruits abundantly, but is not sufficiently hardy to bear the 

 severe winters of this country. 



Hawthorn, or Quick {Cratcsgus oxycantha). This well 

 known hedge-tree is a native of most parts of Northern 

 Europe and Asia. When grown singly it attains the height 

 of 20 or more feet, and lives to a great age ; it is, however, 

 principally used for forming hedge fences. There are several 

 varieties, both in the colour of the fruit and in having single 

 and double flowers ; the common White May is sweet smelling, 

 but the variety with scarlet flowers has a very disagreeable 

 odour. The Glastonbury Thorn is a variety which flowers 

 in early spring, or even at Christmas, if the weather is mild. 

 In this country the berries are called Haws. 



Cratcegus Aroiiia. A bushy-growing species, similar in 

 habit to the preceding, having a red fleshy Haw fruit. It is 

 a native of the South of Europe and Western Asia, and is 

 common about Jerusalem, especially on the Mount of Olives, 

 where its fruit is collected for preserves. 



Besides the above, many form highly ornamental trees and 

 shrubs in the gardens of this country, such as Siberian Crab 

 {Pyrus baccata), bearing abundance of fruit about the size of 

 cherries, and eatable. F. spectabiUs, native of China, bearing 

 a profusion of pink flowers ; while Mespilus canadensis is one 

 complete sheet of white, and is known as the Snowy Mespilus. 

 There are also many species of Cotoneaster, very ornamental. 



