Chap. XVI.
Nucipersica.
Nectorins.
I presume that the name Nucipersica doth most rightly belong vnto that kinde of Peach, which we call Nectorins, and although they haue beene with vs not many yeares, yet haue they beene knowne both in Italy to Matthiolus, and others before him, who it seemeth knew no other then the yellow Nectorin, as Dalechampius also: But we at this day doe know fiue seuerall sorts of Nectorins, as they shall be presently set downe; and as in the former fruits, so in this, I will giue you the description of one, and briefe notes of the rest.
The Nectorin is a tree of no great bignesse, most vsually lesser then the Peach tree, his body and elder boughes being whitish, the younger branches very red, whereon grow narrow long greene leaues, so like vnto Peach leaues, that none can well distinguish them, vnlesse it be in this, that they are somewhat lesser; the blossomes are all reddish, as the Peach, but one of a differing fashion from all the other, as I shall shew you by and by: the fruit that followeth is smaller, rounder, and smoother then Peaches, without any cleft on the side, and without any douny cotton or freeze at all; and herein is like vnto the outer greene rinde of the Wallnut, whereof as I am perswaded it tooke the name, of a fast and firme meate, and very delicate in taste, especially the best kindes, with a rugged stone within it, and a bitter kernell.
The Muske Nectorin, so called, because it being a kinde of the best red Nectorins, both smelleth and eateth as if the fruit were steeped in Muske: some thinke that this and the next Romane Nectorin are all one.
The Romane red Nectorin, or cluster Nectorin, hath a large or great purplish blossome, like vnto a Peach, reddish at the bottome on the outside, and greenish within: the fruit is of a fine red colour on the outside, and groweth in clusters, two or three at a ioynt together, of an excellent good taste.
The bastard red Nectorin hath a smaller or pincking blossome, more like threads then leaues, neither so large nor open as the former, and yellowish within at the bottome: the fruit is red on the outside, and groweth neuer but one at a ioynt; it is a good fruit, but eateth a little more rawish then the other, euen when it is full ripe.
The yellow Nectorin is of two sorts, the one an excellent fruit, mellow, and of a very good rellish; the other hard, and no way comparable to it.
The greene Nectorin, great and small; for such I haue seene abiding constant, although both planted in one ground: they are both of one goodnesse, and accounted with most to be the best rellished Nectorin of all others.
The white Nectorin is said to bee differing from the other, in that it will bee more white on the outside when it is ripe, then either the yellow or greene: but I haue not yet seene it.
The Vse of Nectorins.
The fruit is more firme then the Peach, and more delectable in taste; and is therefore of more esteeme, and that worthily.