Plate XV. 
the history of this pear. He found that it had received the name of Belle Angevine from M. 
Audusson, a nurseryman at Angers. M. Audusson had obtained it from the Garden of the 
Luxembourg at Paris in 1821, under the name of L'Inconnue a Compote. Beyond this, M. Leroy 
could not trace it. It had however been known in English gardens for upwards of a century 
before this time, and it is most probable therefore that it had been conveyd to Paris from England. 
Description. —Fruit: very large, sometimes weighing upwards of three pounds ; of a long 
pyriform, or pyramidal shape, tapering gradually towards the stalk and obtusely towards the eye, 
rather curved and more swollen on one side of the axis than the other. Skin : smooth, dark green, 
changing to yellowish green, and with dull brownish red on the exposed side, dotted all over with 
bright brown and a few tracings of russet. Eye : open, with erect rigid segments, set in a deep, 
narrow basin. Stalk : an inch to an inch and a half long, curved, inserted in a small close cavity. 
Flesh : white, crisp, juicy, and slightly gritty. 
The tree grows vigorously and bears well if nourished well. For obvious reasons it should 
be grown only on a wall, and when grown, as it should be on the pear stock, will occupy a large 
space. It is an excellent culinary pear ; it stews naturally of a rich red colour, and is very good 
when baked or preserved. It is in season from January to April, when it meets with a ready sale 
in the market at a high price. 
