629 ii. p. 632.) A shrub, or low tree, closely resembling the preceding species; and by some botanists considered as only a variety of it. In America, it grows to the height of 30 ft. or 40 ft., with a trunk 10 in. or 12 in. in diameter. The flowers expand in the beginning of April; and they are succeeded by small fruit of a purplish colour, and of an agreeable sweet taste, which ripens in the beginning of June, before that of any other tree or shrub. Of this fruit the largest tree rarely yields more than half a pound. The wood of the tree is white, and it exhibits no difference between the heart and the sap: it is longitudinally traversed by small bright red vessels, which intersect each other, and run together; a physiological peculiarity which, Michaux observes, occurs also in the red birch. In British gardens, it may be found from 12 ft. to 20 ft. high, covered with its white flowers in early spring, and very ornamental in autumn, from the fine dark red which its leaves assume before dying off. 3. A. (v.) SANGUINEA Dec. The blood-coloured Amelanchier. Identification. Dec. Prod., 2. p. 633.; Lindl. in Bot. Reg., t. 1171.; Hook. Fl. Bor. Amer., 1. p. 203. ; Don's Mil., 2. p. 604. Synonymes. Pyrus sanguínea Pursh Fl. Amer. Sept., 1 p. 340.; Arònia sanguínea Nutt.; Méspilus canadensis γ rotundifolia Michaux Fl. Bor. Amer., 1. p. 391. Engravings. Bot. Reg., t. 1171.; and our figs. 630, 631. Spec. Char., &c. Leaves oval, obtuse at both ends, mucronate, finely serrated, somewhat heart-shaped at the base. Flowers few in a raceme. Calyx glabrous. Petals linear, obtuse. Fruit eatable. (Dec. Prod., ii. p. 633.) This plant differs principally from 4. (v.) Botryàpium in the fewer flowers, much shorter raceme, and shorter, broader, and more ovate petals; and in the young leaves being perfectly destitute of pubescence. According to Pursh, it is a small tree with blood-red branches; whence, probably, the specific name; though in Don's Miller it is called the bloody-fruited Amelanchier. It is a native of Hudson's Bay, and was introduced into Britain in 1824. Judging from the plant in the Horticultural Society's Garden, we are strongly inclined to think it only a variety of A. (v.) Botryàpium; but, though we are of this opinion, and, in fact, consider all the amelanchiers known as only different forms of one species, in the same manner as Pyrus nivalis, P. sinàica, P. salicifòlia, P. elæagnifòlia, and others, are only different states of the wild pear (P. communis), yet, as in the case of that species, we think they are as well worth keeping distinct, and of being cultivated, as if they were species. What advantage, then, it may be asked, is gained by calling them varieties, instead of species; or even by proving them to be only varieties, if that could be done? To this we answer, first, that truth and facts ought to be pursued for their own sake; secondly, that if what are now considered species can be proved to be varieties, it will save botanists and gardeners much trouble in seeking for permanent or specific distinctions where none really exist; thirdly, it will greatly assist the memory, by grouping related kinds together; and it will be a guide to collectors in their choice of sorts. See what we have advanced on this subject in p. 216. 4. A. (v.) OVA'LIS Dec. The oval-leaved Amelanchier. Identification. Dec. Prod., 2. p. 632.; Don's Mill., 2. p. 604. Synonymes. Cratæ gus spicata Lam. Dict., 1. p. 84.?; Méspilus Amelanchier Walt. Car., p. 184.; A. parviflora Doug. MS.; M. canadénsis var. a ovàlis Michx. Am., 1. p 291.; Pyrus ovális Willd. Sp., 2. p 1014.; Arònia ovàlis Pers. Syn., 2. p. 240.; Amelanchier du Canada, Alisier à Epi, Fr.; rundblättrige Birne, Ger. Engraving. Fig. 632. Spec. Char., &c. Leaves roundish-elliptical, acute; when young, rather velvety beneath; when adult, glabrous. Raceme coarctate. Petals obovate. Calyx pubescent. (Dec. Prod., ii. p. 632.) A native of North America, throughout Canada, from Lake Huron to the Rocky Mountains. It was introduced in 1800, grows to the height of a low tree, and produces its flowers and fruits at the same time as A. Botryàpium. Of this species Sir Wm. Jackson Hooker observes, "I am sometimes disposed to agree with Dr. Torrey, who suspects this to be only a variety of .4. Botryàpium;" and he adds that Michaux seems to have included 4. Botryàpium and A. vulgàris under his A. canadénsis. 632 A. ovális, according to Dr. Richardson, abounds in the sandy plains of the Saskatchawan, where its wood is prized by the Cree Indians for making arrows and pipe stems; and it is thence termed by the Canadian voyagers bois de flêche. Its berries, which are about the size of a pea, are the finest fruit in the country; and are used by the Cree Indians both in a fresh and in a dried state. They " make excellent puddings, very little inferior to plum-pudding." (Hook. Fl. Bor. Amer., i. p. 203.) As far as we are able to judge, this, and the two preceding forms, belong to one species. There are trees of both species in the Horticultural Society's Garden, within a very few yards of each other; and it is from examining these at different seasons that we have arrived at the above conclusion. Variety. A. (v.) o. 2 subcordata Dec. Arònia subcordàta Raf.; Màlus microcarpa 5. A. (v.) FLORIDA Lindl. The flowery Amelanchier. Spec. Char., &c. Leaves oblong, obtuse at both ends, coarsely 633 serrate in the terminal portion, gla- 634 in habit and general appearance like A. (v.) Botryàpium; but at once recognised as distinct by the shortness of its stamens. The leaves of this plant somewhat resemble those of the hornbeam; the flowers are white, with petals varying in length, some having measured more than 3 of an inch. It flowers later, and the fruit ripens later, than in any of the other sorts. It was discovered by Mr. Douglas, on the north-west coast of North America, and sent to England by him in 1826. There is now a good specimen of the tree in the Horticultural Society's Garden, upwards of 10 ft. high. In general habit, it is somewhat more fastigiate than the other sorts, unless we except A. sanguínea, to which, Dr. Lindley observes, it is very near akin. Possibly a distinct species, but we doubt it. Variety. A (v.) f. 2 parvifolia, the A. parvifòlia of the Horticultural Society's Garden, is of a dwarf habit, not growing above 3 ft. or 4 ft. high, and smaller leaves. It appears to us only a variety of A. (v.) flórida; which, like all the species of the genus, varies exceedingly, according to soil, situation, age of the plant, stock on which it is grafted, &c. It is from having observed the extraordinary difference in the appearances which the same plant assumes in the different London nurseries, that we have been tempted to hazard the conjecture that they have all probably originated in the same species. We have now before us specimens of A. (v.) flórida, from the Fulham Nursery, with leaves 1 in. broad, and 24 in. long, with their margins deeply notched; while those from the Horticultural Society's Garden are about two thirds of the size, and quite entire. We have also leaves of A. Botryàpium from the Fulham Nursery, 4 in. long including the footstalk, and 34 in. without it; and 2 in. broad; while those from the Horticultural Society's Garden are only 13 in. long, and 1 in. broad; and those from Messrs. Loddiges are still smaller. GENUS XVII. ME'SPILUS Lindl. THE MEDLAR. Lin. Syst. Icosándria Di-Pentagýnia. Identification. Lindl. ir Lin. Trans., 13. p. 99.; Dec. Prod., 2. p. 633.; Don's Mill., 2. p. 6. Synonymes. Méspilus sp. of Lin. and others; Mespilóphora sp. of Neck. Derivation. From mesos, a half, and pilos, a bullet; fruit resembling half a bullet. Description, &c. Deciduous trees of the middle size, natives of Europe; the first species is cultivated for its fruit, which is eatable, and the seeds of which are accounted anti-lithic; and the other as an ornamental shrub, or low tree, of the general character of a Crataegus, to which genus it may indeed be considered as properly belonging. They are propagated by grafting on the quince, the wild pear, or the common hawthorn. The price, in the nurseries, is the same as for Crataegus. 1. M. GERMA'NICA L. The German, or common, Medlar. Identification. Lin. Sp., 684.; Pall. Fl. Ross., t. 13. f. 1.; Dec. Prod., 2. p. 633; Don's Mill., 2. p. 605. Engravings. Pall. Fl. Ross., t. 13. f. 1.; and the plate of this species in our Second Volume. Spec. Char., &c. Leaves lanceolate, tomentose beneath, undivided. Flowers solitary. (Dec. Prod., ii. p. 633.) A deciduous tree of the second rank; a native of Europe and the west of Asia, in bushy places and woods; and said to be found, also, in Kent, Sussex, Surrey, and about Chester, in England; apparently in a truly wild state in Sussex. (See Mag. Nat. Hist.,vol.ix. p. 86.) It flowers in May and June, and the fruit ripens in October and November. This tree was known to the Greeks, and has been in cultivation in British gardens for an indefinite period; not only the species, but several varieties, being mentioned by Turner, Gerard, Parkinson, and other early British writers on botany and gardening. For its culture as a fruit tree, we refer to the Encyclopædia of Gardening, edit. 1835. As an ornamental tree, it well deserves a place in every collection, from the tortuous fantastic appearance of its branches, its large white flowers, its large leaves, and the rich-looking persistent calyxes which accompany its fruit. Varieties. De Candolle gives the following forms of this species, which may be considered as natural varieties:— M.g. I sylvestris Mill. Dict., No. 1. - Spiny. Fruit small. It loses its M.g. 2 stricta Dec., Ait. Hort. Kew., ii. p. 172., Dod. Pempt., 801. - * M. g. 3 diffusa Dec., Ait. Hort. Kew., ii. p. 172., Du Ham. Arb. Fr., i. In the Horticultural Society's Fruit Catalogue, the following four cultivated sorts are given, which may be considered as artificial varieties:1. Blake's large-fruited Medlar. 2. Dutch Medlar. Fruit the largest of any. 3. Nottingham, or common, Medlar. - Fruit obovate, middle size, and of the best quality: the only sort worth cultivating for its fruit in England. The fruit of the medlar is not eaten till in a state of incipient decay, when it is very agreeable to some palates; though it is, as Du Hamel observes, more un fruit de fantaisie, than one of utility. A number of trees of the different varieties may be seen in the orchard of the Horticultural Society's Garden, where they have taken very picturesque shapes. Statistics. In some of the old gardens about Twickenham, the traveller may see from the road medlar trees from 25 ft. to 30 ft. high, with heads from 30 ft. to 40 ft. in diameter. At Syon, and at Ham House, there are medlars 35 ft. high. In Devonshire, at Bystock Park, a tree, 12 years planted, is 14 ft. high. In Surrey, at Bagshot Park, one, 20 years planted, is 18 ft high; at Claremont, an old tree is 20 ft. high. In Wiltshire, at Longford Castle, there is a tree 15 ft. high, with a trunk 1 ft. in diameter, and the diameter of the head 25 ft. In Radnorshire, at Maeslough Castle, there is one 24 ft. high. In Scotland, in the Glasgow Botanic Garden, 16 years planted, it is 15 ft. high; in Banffshire, at Gordon Castle, 24 ft. high; in Stirlingshire, at Callander Park, 40 years planted, it is 12 ft. high. In Ireland, in the Glasnevin Botanic Garden, 35 years planted, and 16 ft. high; in Galway, at Castle Coole, 16 ft. high. 2. M. SMITHII Dec. Smith's Medlar. Identification. Dec. Prod., 2. p. 633.; Don's Mill., 2. p. 605. Synonymes. M. grandiflora Smith Exot. Bot., 1. p. 33.; M. lobata Poir, Hook. in Bot. Mag. t. 3342. Engravings. Smith Exot. Bot., 1. t. 18.; Bot. Mag., t. 3442.; and the plate of this species in our Second Volume. Spec. Char., &c. Leaves oblong, elliptic, serrated, pubescent on the nerves beneath. Flowers usually solitary. (Don's Mill., ii. p. 605.) The native country of this tree has not been ascertained. The flowers are white, and are one half smaller than those of the common medlar. The stipules of the sterile branches are large and foliaceous. A tree, growing to the height of 20 ft., and flowering in May and June; readily propagated by grafting on the common thorn. It is as hardy as the common medlar, and well deserves a place in ornamental plantations for the beauty of its flowers, which are produced in great profusion. The general aspect and habit of the tree are those of a Cratæ gus; and, indeed, it is by many persons considered as more properly belonging to that genus than to Méspilus. A scarlet-flowered variety of this species would be a most charming garden plant. Statistics. There are fine old specimens of M. Smithi at Syon, Purser's Cross, Ham House, and Fulham Palace, from 20 ft. to 25 ft. high. In Sussex, at West Dean, 15 years planted, it is 19 ft. high, the diameter of the trunk 9 in., and of the head 24 ft. In Wiltshire, at Wardour Castle, 30 years planted, it is 40 ft. high, the diameter of the trunk 1 ft. 2 in., and of the head 21 ft, in loamy soil, on retentive clay. In Oxfordshire, in the Oxford Botanic Garden, 18 years planted, it is 24 ft. high. In Scotland, in Forfarshire, at Airlie Castle, 8 years planted, it is 9ft. high. In Ireland, in the Glasnevin Botanic Garden, 20 years planted, it is 10 ft. high. Price, in the nurseries, the same as for Cratæ gus. GENUS XVIII. PYRUS Lindl. THE PEAR TREE. Lin. Syst. Icosándria Di-Pentagýnia. Identification. Lindl. Lin. Soc. Tr., 13. p. 97.; Dec. Prod., 2. p. 633.; Don's Mill., 2. p. 605. Synonymes. Pyrus, Malus, and Sorbus, Tourn.; Pyrus and Sorbus, Lin.; Pyróphorum and Apyróphorum, Neck. Description. Low trees, and some shrubs; almost all deciduous; natives of Europe, Asia, and North America. Some of them in great estimation throughout the world for their fruit; and others cultivated chiefly for their flowers. Under the genus Pyrus, botanists have lately united the Linnæan genera Pyrus and Sorbus, together with several species formerly included under Méspilus, Cratæ`gus, and other genera. Taking the generic character from the fruit, this union appears strictly in accordance with the canons laid down by botanists: but we cannot help stating our opinion, that it would be much more convenient, in a practical point of view, in establishing genera, to take into consideration the leaves, the character of the vegetation, the physiology, and even the habit, of the plant, than merely to draw the distinctive characteristics from the parts of fructification. In consequence of attending only to these parts of plants, the genus Pyrus, as at present constituted, contains species, such as the apple and pear, which will not graft on each other; a circumstance which clearly shows that the union of these two kinds of plants in one genus is not a natural one. We not only think that no plants should be comprehended in the same genus which will not graft reciprocally on each other, but that plants of different habits or constitutions should not be united; and, consequently, that twining plants should not be united with trees and upright shrubs; nor deciduous trees and shrubs with evergreens. In short, as we have stated in p. 812., we would form genera on a kind of natural system, from all the circumstances of the plant taken together, and not from any particular part, or circumstance, or class of circumstances, belonging to it. We think we may refer, in confirmation of the propriety of this doctrine, to the excellent observations that have been quoted from Dr. Lindley, under the head of Lòwea; not without a hope, as it was in the commencement of Dr. Lindley's botanical career that he brought so many species, dissimilar in habits, together into the genus Pyrus, that he will, in accordance with what he has stated in the passage referred to, be at some future time induced to separate them, and to restore the genera Màlus, Sórbus, A`ria, and Arònia. We request our readers to observe that here, as in other similar cases, we merely state our opinion; and that we by no means consider ourselves entitled to separate assemblages of species, or to alter established names, in any manner whatever. No one ought to do this who has not attained a degree of rank in the botanical world to which we have no pretension and hence, in all those cases in which we have assumed a species to be a variety, we have only indicated our opinion in parentheses, leaving the reader to adopt it, or not, as he chooses. We may be allowed, however, to throw out suggestions for the consideration of botanists; and, as these are always made with the most perfect good feeling, and are merely submitted as speculative, with a view to do good, we hope our readers will receive them in the same spirit as that in which they are made. When a more perfect knowledge is obtained of all the vegetable productions of the earth, we have no doubt that it will be found necessary to remodel the whole of the genera, as well as to give new and characteristically composed names to all the species; a labour which, great as it may appear at present, will be diminished to a degree scarcely credible, when the present chaos of names, and, apparently, of species, is reduced by simplification. To return to the genera Pyrus, we believe we may assert that some of the species it contains are, and have been for ages, the most universally |