Adam in Eden, or, Natures paradise the history of plants, fruits, herbs and flowers with their several names ... the places where they grow, their descriptions and kinds, their times of flourishing and decreasing as also their several signatures, anatomical appropriations and particular physical vertues together with necessary observations on the seasons of planting and gathering of our English simples with directions how to preserve them in their compositions or otherwise : ... there is annexed a Latin and English table of the several names of simples, with another more particular table of the diseases and their cures ... / by William Coles ...

CHAP. CLXIX. Of the Peare-Tree.

The Names.

THat which is mannured is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in Greek, and somtimes 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 with a double 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and in Latine Pirus and Pyrus, because of the similitude of its forme with that of a Pyramis. The Wild-Peare, is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in Greek, as be∣ing of no use having its derivation from a privativa, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Utor, and in∣deed is of very little use: yet Dioscorides saith, that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is is a particular sort of Wild-Peare, and that the generall name is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in Latine Pirus Sylvestris, and Pyraster or Piraster. The Wardens are called V••lema.

The Kinds.

There are saith a late Author, 400 or 500 severall sorts of Peares, and conse∣quently of Peare-Trees, so that to set them all down would be very tedious, yet I shall not think it amisse, to name a few. 1. The Jennetting Peare. 2. St. Jeames Peare. 3. The Windsor-Peare. 4. The Burgamet-Peare. 5. The Quince-Peare. 6. The Bishops-Peare. 7. The Katharine-Peare. 8. The Green-field-Peare. 9. The Winter-Peare. 10. The Warden. 11. The Choake Peare. 12. The Hedge-Peare. 13. The Lowsy Hedge-Peare. 14. The Crow Wild-Peare.

The Forme.

The Peare-Tree is for the most part higher then the Apple-Tree, having boughes not spread abroad, but goweth up in height: the Body is many times great, and the Wood of a yellow colour, the leafe is somwhat broad, finely nicked on the Edges, green above, but somewhat whiter underneath; the Flowers are white, the fruit is for the most part long, and in forme like a Casting-Top; but in great∣nesse, colour, and tast, very much differing among themselves having contained in them black kernells when they be ripe: The Root groweth after the same manner, as that of the Apple-Tree doth.

The Places and Time.

The mannured kinds are Planted in Orchards, and Gardens, both as Standards and Wall-Trees. The biggest that ever I saw of them growing against a Wall was in the Garden of the Earle of Northumberland at Sion, neere Brainford, whose branches extended themselves after a very wonderfull manner. The Wild sorts are found in Woods and Hedges in Kent, Worcester, and Herefordshire. The Flow∣ers do for the most part come forth in April, the leaves afterwards:

Peares are not all ripe at one time, some of them being ripe in June, some in July▪ others in August, and divers in September, and later.

The Temperature.

Peares are also said to be cold and moist in the first degree, and have in them a binding quality, and an earthy substance; the Choak-Peares and tho••e that are harsh, being more earthy, and the sweet ones lesse.

The Vertues and Signature.

When Peares are unripe and raw they engender Wind, and so cause the Collick; but if they be rosted, baked or stewed, they are not unwholesome. And eaten after meat being ripe and well gathered, they close up the mouth of the Stomack and forti••••e digestion. Being boyled with a little Honey they helpe the Stomack very much that hath any paines or oppression therein. The sweet and lushious sorts do helpe to move the belly downwards more or lesse, and therefore may be eaten moderatly that by those are costive: Those that are harsh and sowre do on the contrary part, bind the belly as much, and therefore are good to be eaten of those that are troubled with the Laske or bloody-Fluxe, but with mode∣ration also, for all excesse is dangerous. The Ward••n is cheifely, yea only ad∣mitted to be taken by tho••e that are sick and aguish, being first baked, stewed or rosted in that it hath no a••••riction therein to breed obstructions which are the ut∣ter enemies to putrid Feavers: and indeed it deserveth commendation above all the rest, both because it may be preserved longer, and is more ami••able to the na∣ture of man. Pears applyed outwardly, are effectuall for hot tumors, and greene wounds▪ if they be laid to at the beginning, and so are the Leaves, for they close and heale new wounds, but more especially Wild Peares, and their Leaves. The Perry that is made of these Peares is a speciall Cordiall, chearing and reviving the Spirits, making the Heart glad as Wine of Gr••pes, and this it may be said to do by that Signature which some Peares have; It is also profitable for long life as well as health, for it hath been observed that those that drink Per∣••y and Syd••r daily or frequently as their common drink are generally healthy per∣sons, and long lived: It is of speciall use at Sea, in long Voyages to mingle with their fresh-water. Peares being boyled in faire Water▪ with Rose-water and Ho∣ney, and then drained through a Cloath or Colender, and afterwards dryed in an Oven after a Batch of bread, may be kept all the yeare being an excellent repast. Some are preserved in Sugar, as other fruits are, and served in banquets, amongst other sweet-meats, or dryed up after they are preserved, and so put amongst other dry candyed Junkets. The Wood is smooth, close and firme, and serveth for many uses as to make Moulds and Prints, to expresse the figure of a Plant or any such thing, to make Rulers, Pistoll ••••ocks, &c: when no fitter wood can be gotten.