Of the Hiftory of Plants. 
1503 
Lib. 3. 
^ 7 he Defcnption. 
I *T'He Englifh Cherrie tree groweth to an high and great tree, the body whereof is of a 
* meane bignefle, which is parted aboue into very many boughes, with abarke fomewhat 
lmooth.and of a browne crimfon colour,tough and pliable: the fubftance or timber is alfobrowne 
in the middle, and the outward part is fomewhat whtte.Theleaues be great, broad, long, fet with 
veines or nerues,and fleightly nicked about the edges : the floures are white, of a meanbignes,con- 
flftingoffiueleaues,andhauing certaine threds in the middle, of the like colour: the Cherries be 
round, hanging vpsn long Hems or foot- ftalks, with a (lone in the midft which is couered with a 
pulpe or foft meat; the kernell thereof is not vnpleafant to the tafte, though fomewhat bitter. 
r 2 The Flanders Cherry tree differerh not from our Englifh Cherrie tree in ftature or forme of 
leaues or ftoures ; the difference confifteth in this, that this tree bringeth forth his fruit fooner,and 
greater than the other: wherefore it may be called in Latin e^Cerafue precnx,Jive BeUtcu. 
3 TheiSpanifh Cherrie tree groweth vp to the height of our common Cherrietree: thewood 
or timber is foft and loofe, couered with a whitifh fcaliebarke;the branches areknoctie,greater & 
fuller of fubftance than any otherCherry tree: theleaues are likewife greater and longer rhan any 
of the reft, in fhape like thofeoftheCheftnuttreerthe floures are like the others in forme,butwhi- 
ter ofcolour: the fruit is greater and longer than any, white for the mod part all ouer, except thofe 
that Hand in the hotted: place where the Sun hathfome reflexion againfta walhthey are alfo white 
within, and of a pleafant tafte. 
4 The Gdfcoine Cherrie tree groweth very like to the Spanrfh Cherry tree in ftature, floures, 
and leaues:itdiffereth in that itbringeth forth very great Cherries, long, fharpe pointed, with a 
certaine hollowncfle vpon one (ide,and fpotted here and there with certaine prickles of purple co- 
lour as final las fand : the tafte is moft pleafant, andexcelleth inbeautie. 
5 The late ripe Cherry tree groweth vp like vneo our wilde Englifh Cherry tree, with the like 
leaues. 
