1. The empalement and pointals.
2. A branch of ripe fruit.
* * * * *
For this undescribed species of Mespilus we are indebted to the Right
Hon. the Marquis of Bath, who first observed it to be distinct from the
Mespilus tanacetifolia, with which it has commonly been confounded, and
pointed out the specific differences to Mr. Lambert in 1807. The
accuracy of his Lordship’s observations we have often verified this
summer in the different collections about London, and find the two
species quite distinct in fruit, foliage, and bracteæ. Mespilus
odoratissima forms handsome dwarf trees, from 6 to 12 feet high in the
specimens we have seen. The blossoms appear in June, and are remarkably
fragrant, but considerably smaller than in M. tanacetifolia; but this is
abundantly compensated by the livelier colour and greater profusion of
the fruit with which the boughs are loaded in autumn. The tree called by
Professor Pallas Cratægus orientalis, (see the English translation of
his Travels in the Crimea, vol. ii. p. 174 and 181,) and which he found
cultivated for its fruit in the south-western parts of the Crimea, where
it also grows wild on the mountains, is this species, as we have
ascertained from his Herbarium; and the little red Medlar found in
Anatolia by Tournefort, (see his Travels, vol. ii. p. 322 of the English
translation,) noticed by Dr. Smith in his Exotic Botany, is probably the
same thing. We were favoured with the specimens both of this and M.
tanacetifolia (our next plate) by the Right Hon. the Marchioness of
Bath, from Longleat.
[Illustration]
PLATE DXCI.
MESPILUS TANACETIFOLIA.
_Tansy-leaved Medlar._
CLASS XII. ORDER V.
_ICOSANDRIA PENTAGYNIA._ Twenty Chives. Five Pointals.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
CALYX 5-fidus. Petala 5. Bacca infera, 5-sperma.
CALYX 5-cleft. Petals 5. Berry below, 5-seeded.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
MESPILUS floribus bracteatis; foliis pinnatifidis; laciniis argutè
serratis, pubescentibus.
MESPILUS with bracts to the flowers; the leaves wing-cleft, with
the divisions sawed and downy.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The empalement and pointals.
2. A branch with ripe fruit.
* * * * *
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