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P L A T E DXC.
M E S P I L U S ODORATISSIMA.
S~iSoeet-scented Mesp'ilus.
C L A S S XII. O R D E R V.
ICOSANDRIA PENTAGYNIA. Twenty Chives. Five Pointais.
ESSENTIAL GENERIC CHARACTER.
CALYX 5-fidus. Pétala 5. Bacca infera, 5-
sperma.
CALYX 5-deft. Petals 5. Eerrj- belovv^ 5-
seeded.
MESPILUS foliis utrinque pubescentibus, pinnatifidis
; laciniis tncisis.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
MESPILUS with leaves downy on both sides, and
wing-cleft; with the segments slit.
REFERENCE TO THE PLATE.
1. The empalement and pointais.
2. A branch of ripe fruit.
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Fou 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 180/. 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 bractege. 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 Crataegus 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
Tjy 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.
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