Description. The tree groweth near the bigness of the quince tree, spreading branches reasonably large, with longer and narrower leaves than either the apple or quince, and not dented about the edges. At the end of the sprigs stand the flowers made of five white, great broad pointed leaves, nicked in the middle, with some white threads also; after which cometh the fruit, of a brownish green colour, being ripe, bearing a crown as it were on the top, which were the five green leaves; and being rubbed off, or fallen away, the head of the fruit is seen to be somewhat hollow. The fruit is very harsh before it is mellowed, and hath usually five hard kermels within it.--There is another kind hereof nothing differing from the former, but that it hath some thorns on it in several places, which the other hath not; and usually the fruit is small and not so pleasant.
Time and Place. They grow in this land, and flower in May for the most part, and bear fruit in September and October.
Government and virtues. The fruit is old Saturn's, and sure a better medicine he hardly hath to strengthen the retentive faculty: therefore it stays women's longings; The good old man cannot endure women's minds should run a gadding. Also a plaister made of the fruit dried before they are rotten, and other convenient things, and applied to the reins of the back, stops miscarriages in women with child. They are very powerful to stay any fluxes of blood, or humours in men or women; the leaves also have this quality. The fruit eaten by women with child, stayeth their longings after unusual meats, and is very effectual for them that are apt to miscarry, and be delivered before their time, to help that malady, and make them joyful mothers. The decoction of them is good to gargle and wash the mouth, throat, and teeth: when there is any deflections of blood to stay it, or of humours, which causeth the pains and swellings. It is a good bath for women to sit over, that have their courses flowing too abundant; or for the piles when they bleed too much. If a poultice or plaister be made with dried medlars, beaten and mixed with the juice of red roses, whereunto a few cloves and nutmegs may be added, and a little red coral also, and applied to the stomach that is given to casting or loathing of meat, it effectually helpeth. The dried leaves in powder strewed on fresh bleeding wounds, restraineth the blood, and healeth up the wound quickly. The medlar-stones made into powder, and drank in wine, wherein some parsley roots have lain infused all night, or a little boiled, do break the stone in the kidneys, and help to expel it.