PYEUS JAPONICA. JAPAN PYEUS. 
Class XII. ICOSANDRIA.- Order IV. PENTAGYNIA. 
Natural Order, POMACEAE.— THE APPLE TRIBE. 
1. Section of calyx, showing the insertion of the stamens and pistils. 2. One stamen and the pistils magnified. 
3. Outline of a perfect leaf. 
Generic Character. — Cal. superior of one leaf, five-cleft, permanent. Cor. Petals five roundish, con- 
cave, larger than the calyx, and proceeding from it. Siam. Filaments twenty, awl-shaped, attached to the 
calyx, shorter than the corolla ; anthers oblong, of two lobes. Pist. Germ inferior ; styles five, filiform ; 
stigmas simple. Per. Fruit roundish, umbilicated, with five membranaceous cells. Seeds two in each cell. 
Leaves elliptic-oblong, sharply serrated, smooth. 
The characters of this species frequently vary : sometimes having numerous petals, as a semi-double 
flower, but more frequently appearing with five or six. The pericarpium is seldom larger than a walnut, and 
rarely perfects itself in this country. A white and also a semi-double variety of this species have been ob- 
tained, so nearly coinciding in habit with the plant here figured as not to warrant their being made distinct 
species. 
The Pyrus Japonica is a native of Japan, and was introduced into this country by Sir Joseph Banks in 
1796. It may be considered to rank among some other shrubs from that country, as the most ornamental 
which are cultivated in our gardens. It possesses in itself a peculiar recommendation, from its blooming at 
a season when few other flowers appear. Such flowers as present themselves before Spring has put on her 
verdant robes are viewed with peculiar pleasure and delight, and in a manner invite us to look forward for 
that season when Nature appears clothed in her loveliest hues. The flowers of the Pyrus Japonica are of a 
beautiful red, and are in great abundance over the whole plant, with the exception of the last year’s shoots : 
the oldest branches of the tree will throw out spurs with flowers ; they begin to make their appearance early 
in March, before the leaves, and continue in perfect beauty until near the end of April : throughout the 
summer a few blooms will occasionally appear. This plant is with good effect frequently trained against 
walls or trellis-work, and forms a desirable shrub, to disperse among open plantations and shrubberies, par- 
ticularly if intermixed with the white variety ; as they are proved to endure the severity of our winters. 
These shrubs are of free growth; and when planted against walls, pruning is necessary: some of the lux- 
uriant young shoots may be removed without injury to the plants. This species of Pyrus is easily propa- 
gated, either by layers in the spring, or by cuttings in the autumn ; and it adapts itself to almost any soil : 
in common garden earth it grows freely ; and is found to flourish in the environs of London.* 
In December, says the ‘Mirror of the months/ the meadows are still green — almost as green as in the 
spring, with the late sprouted grass that the last rains have called up, since it has left off, and the cattle called 
home to enjoy their winter fodder. The corn-fields, too, are bright with their delicate sprinkling of young au- 
tumn sown wheat; the ground about the hedge-rows and in the young copses is still pleasant to look upon, from 
the sobered green of the hardy primrose and violet, whose clumps of unfading leaves brave the utmost rigour 
of the season : and every here and there, a bush of holly darts up a pyramid of shining leaves and brilliant 
berries, from amidst the late wild and wandering, but now faded and forlorn company of woodbines and 
eglantines, which have all the rest of the year been exulting over and almost hiding it, with their quick- 
growing branches and flaunting flowers. The evergreens, too, that assist in forming the home inclosures, 
have altogether lost their sombre hue which they have until lately worn — sombre in comparison with the 
bright freshness of spring and the splendid variety of autumn : and now, that not a leaf is left around them, 
they look as gay by the contrast as they lately looked grave. 
Now, the high-piled turnip cart is seen labouring along the narrow lanes, or stands ready with its 
white load in the open field, waiting to be borne to the expectant cattle, that are safely stalled and sheltered 
for the season ; while, for the few that are still permitted to remain at the mercy of the inclement skies, and 
to make their unwholesome bed upon the drenched earth, the moveable hay-rack is daily filled with its frag- 
rant store, and the open shed but poorly supplies the place of the warm and well-roofed stalls of the 
straw-yard. 
Now, too, some of the younger members of the herd (for the old ones know by experience that it is 
not worth the trouble,) seeing the tempting green of the next field, through the leafless hedge-rows, break 
their way through and find the fare as bitter and as scanty as that which they have left. 
Now the hazels throw out their husky blossoms from their bare branches, looking, as they hang straight 
down, like a dark rain arrested in its descent; and the furze flings out its bright yellow flowers upon the 
otherwise bare common, like little gleams of sunshine, and the moles ply their mischievous night-work in 
Flora Conspicua. 
