The Medlar Tree.
Botanical name:
Mespilus.
A common tree in our gardens. It is of the bigness of an apple tree, and grows in the same irregular manner: the branches have thorns on them. The leaves are longer and narrower than in the apple tree, and they terminate in a point. The blossoms are large and white. The fruit is roundish, and open at the bottom: and till very much mellowed, is of an austere taste.
A strong decoction of unripe medlars, is good to stop violent purgings. The seeds work by urine, and are good against the gravel; but there are so many more powerful things at hand, they are seldom used.
