Leaf-buds small, short, conical, pointed, nearly free; leaf-scars prominent. Leaves 2-3/4 in. long, 1-5/8 in. wide, oval, thick, leathery; apex taper-pointed; margin marked with minute dark brown glands, crenate or nearly entire; petiole 1-3/4 in. long. Flower-buds large, long, conical, plump, free, arranged singly or in small clusters on short branches and spurs; flowers 1-3/8 in. across, 7 or 8 buds in each cluster; pedicels 1 in. long, slender, lightly pubescent, greenish. Fruit ripe October to November; large, often very large, 4 in. long, 3 in. wide, uniform in size, oblong-obovate-pyriform, with irregular and uneven surface and with sides often unequal; stem frequently 1-1/2 in. long, very thick, curved; cavity acute, deep, furrowed, irregular, often lipped; calyx partly open, small; lobes short, narrow, acute; basin medium to deep, abrupt, furrowed and uneven, often corrugated; skin thick, granular, roughened with russet; color dull yellow, streaked, spotted and netted with dull russet; dots numerous, russet, conspicuous; flesh white, firm becoming somewhat melting and quite tender when fully mature, granular, juicy, sweet, rich and delicious when fully mature; quality good to very good. Core closed, with clasping core-lines; calyx-tube short, wide, conical; seeds small, narrow, flat, acute, very often abortive. [Illustration: DUCHESSE D'ORLÉANS] DUCHESSE D'ORLÉANS =1.= Kenrick _Am. Orch._ 143. 1841. =2.= _Am. Pom. Soc. Rpt._ 68. 1862. =3.= Downing _Fr. Trees Am._ 749. 1869. =4.= Hogg _Fruit Man._ 570. 1884. _Duchess of Orleans._ =5.= Hovey _Fr. Am._ =1=:91, Pl. 1851. _Saint-Nicolas._ =6.= _Pom. France_ =1=: No. 33, Pl. 33. 1863. =7.= _Cat. Cong. Pom. France_ 343, fig. 1906. _Beurré de Saint-Nicolas._ =8.= Mas _Le Verger_ =3=: Pt. 1, 137, fig. 67. 1866-73. =9.= Leroy _Dict. Pom._ =1=:426, fig. 1867. _Butterbirne von Saint-Nicolas._ =10.= Mathieu _Nom. Pom._ 191. 1889.