BRITISH WILD FLOWERS. 
151 
* Leaves simple. 
1.—THE WILD PEAR TREE. (Pyrus communis, Lin.) 
Engravings. —Eng. Bot., t. 1784 ; 2nd ed., t. 695. 
Specific Character. —Leaves simple, ovate, serrated. Flower-stalks corymbose. Fruit turbinate. ( Lindley.) 
Description, &c. —The Pear Tree in its wild state lias generally a very handsome appearance, as its 
branches, though at first erect, soon begin to bend downwards at the point, so as to give the tree a pyramidal 
shape. There are few roots, and they descend perpendicularly, so that the tree requires a loose and deep soil. 
The leaves are generally covered with a whitish down ; and the fruit is small, and very harsh. The tree is 
of great longevity ; one having been known to live upwards of four hundred years. The wood is heavy, strong, 
of a fine grain, and slightly tinged with red. It was formerly used by wood engravers, particularly by Albert 
Durer, but has been long superseded by box. The wild Pear Tree is common in woods and hedges in every 
part of Great Britain ; and it produces its large, handsome, snow-white flowers in April and May. 
2—THE CRAB, OR WILD APPLE TREE. (Pyrus Malus, Lin.) 
Synonyme. —Malus communis, Dec. Specific Character. —Leaves simple, serrated, rugose. Flowers 
Engravings. —Eng. Bot., t. 179 ; 2nd ed., t. 696 ; and our fig. 3, in a simple sessile umbel. Fruit round. {Lindley.) 
in PI. 35. 
Description, &c.— The wild Apple, or Crab, is common in the hedge-rows of every part of Great Britain; 
and it is extremely ornamental when in flower, from the beautiful pink tint which is found on the backs of the 
petals, particularly before the buds are fully expanded. The fruit of the wild Apple is very harsh, but when 
crushed it makes a strong but sour kind of cider, which, when properly treated, forms the kind of vinegar 
called verjuice. The flowers appear in May. The wild Apple Tree is the badge of the Highland clan Lamont. 
3.— THE GRIPING WILD SERVICE TREE. (Pyrus torminalis, Smith.) 
Synonyme. —Crataegus torminalis, Lin. rated, 7-lobed ; tbe lower lobes spreading. Flower-stalks corymbose, 
Engravings. —Eng. Bot., t. 298 ; 2nd ed., t. 697. branched. (Smith.) 
Specific Character. —Leaves simple, somewhat heart-shaped, ser- 
Description, &c. —This very handsome tree is exceedingly abundant in the middle and southern counties 
of England, where it attains a considerable size. The flowers are white, and are produced in large terminal 
bunches in May and June ; but the fruit, which is small and acid, does not ripen till late in autumn. 
4.— THE WHITE BEAM TREE. (Pyrus Aria, Smith.) 
Synonymes. —Crataegus Aria, Lin .; Mespilus Aria, Scop. ; Sorbus Specific Character. —Leaves ovate, doubly serrated, hoary beneath. 
Aria , Crantz ; Aria Theophrasti, L’Obel. Flowers in dense flat corymbs. Fruit pisiform. (Lindley.) 
Engravings. —Eng. Bot., t. 1858; 2nd ed., t. 701 ; and our fig. 4, 
iu PI. 35. 
Description, &c. —This well-known tree grows in great abundance in every part of Great Britain and 
Ireland, though it seldom attains a large size unless there is a mixture of some calcareous substance in the soil. 
It is remarkable for the whiteness of the under surface of the leaf, whence it is called the White Beam Tree. 
The Germans call it the Meal Tree, from the same circumstance. The flowers are produced in large terminal 
corymbs, and they appear in May. The fruit is small, and not at all agreeable to eat, as it is harsh and very 
