BOTANICAL INDEX. 
31 
THE “ SANDWICH ISLAND PEAR." [Fig. 96, and 98 No. 1 .] 
About twenty years ago, a lady from near Cincinnati, Ohio, visiting in San Fran- 
cisco, bought at a fruit stand in that city a “ Sandwich Island Apple.” This fruit 
was so very fine that the seeds were saved and sent to friends in Ohio. Only one seed 
grew, and it produced what has been called the “ Sandwich Island Pear,” a fruit 
resembling both the apple and pear, but distinct from either. The foliage and habit 
of growth is almost identical with the “ Sha-lea,” differing in having broader and 
deeply serrated foliage, and light green bark. The fruit is generally near the shape 
of a Rambo apple, though larger ; occasionally quite oblong flattened ; in color a beau- 
tiful yellow, with often a line blush on the sunny side. This fruit ripens in Septem- 
ber, and is unsurpassed for canning and preserving. 
THE “ CINCINCIS ” PEAR, [Fig. 98, No. 8,} 
Is one introduced by Mr. Smith, of Ohio, but believed to have been brought originally 
from the south of France. This tree has fruited for over fifteen years, producing 
quite large, more quince than pear shaped specimens, of a beautiful orange color, 
ripening in September, and keeping in good condition a month or more after coming 
from the tree. For canning or preserving, this fruit is considered superior to any 
other of its season. The growth of the tree is very vigorous, foliage of enormous 
size. The seedlings often attain 4 to 6 feet high the first year, and grow with pro- 
portionate vigor until checked by early and abundant fruitfulness. From their 
healthy growth and entire exemption from blight, the seedlings are believed to be of 
value as stocks to work other varieties of the pear upon. The “ Cincincis ” is prob- 
ably a regular Japanese pear, or a seedling from it. 
Here we have three apparently different varieties or species of the pear, with 
many points of resemblance in the appearance and quality of the fruit, and almost 
identical in growth ; all possessing remarkable vigor, uniform health, handsome fruit, 
of great value for economic purposes ; and as ornamental trees for the lawn or garden, 
scarcely equalled by any in cultivation. These all put out early in spring, and retain 
their large, deep green foliage until frost. They all come into bearing young, and 
are very productive. 
Some of the French nurserymen are offering trees of two sorts of Japanese pears. 
One, called “Mikado,” is described as “having very large, serrated leaves; fruit 
medium, round, very flat, brown russety color; stalk long; flesh half fine, half melt- 
ing; ripens in September. This sort imported from Japan, will be probably the 
beginning of a new race of pears.” The other, “ Von Siebold,” is “ a new Japanese 
sort. The tree is of a peculiar and very distinct appearance.” 
I do not know whether these are identical with either of the varieties of oriental 
pears described above, or not. The description of the “Mikado” corresponds very 
j nearly with that of the “Sandwich Island,” and it is likely the latter came from 
Japan to the Sandwich Islands. But these pears are the foundation for hopes of 
1 great things in producing new and hardier varieties of pears, either from artificial 
hybridization or from seedling varieties; and this is an open field for experiment, 
for any one willing to enter it. 
The study of the Geographical boundaries of plants is one of the most inter- 
esting and instructive subjects, not only for the botanist, but for all intelligent peo- 
ple; yet, we never seem to fully comprehend the fact that only a very limited num- 
ber of our best scholars are familiar with the natural geographical limits of many 
of our commonest plants. Now this is a very important consideration and is much 
to be regretted. But we know of no better method of correcting it, than by the 
publication of carefully prepared, and complete lists of plants, from all parts of the 
country. To be sure, many of the Reports of the Government Surveys of the pub- 
lic domain contain partial lists of the particular portion of the country passed over, 
and many of our magazines, journals and papers occasionally publish lists from 
travelers and students, usually, however, only the new or strange forms noticed or 
found by them, while a goodly number of our more liberal collectors each year pub- 
lish at their own expense catalogues or lists of plants, usually from the older settle^' 
portions of the country. Of course we could not publish in our limited space every 
thing we would be glad to, or that may be sent ns, but some lists would be very ac- 
i ceptable. First, we solicit complete local lists of Native ferns, specially from the north- 
! ern fern area, and as everybody is very much interested in good fruit, we should be 
pleased to receive full local lists of native American fruits, including all those usu- 
ally considered of no commercial or economic value. We also request complete local 
lists of native aquatic plants, including grasses and weeds as well as flowering plants, 
and especially the so called Water Lilies. We will, therefore, designate oursubjects 
by the name of Native Fruits, Native Water Lilies, and Native Ferns. If your list 
does not appear immediately upon reception, do not be disappointed, for we have quite 
a quantity of manuscript already for future numbers, and of course must select 
from the most desirable or appropriate for the coming numbers. 
