The London Times says: "Among fruit fanciers several incline to derive the name of this favorite species of pear from the Italian town of Bergamo, while a larger number prefer Pergamos, laying stress on the fact that this species was first introduced into Europe by the Crusaders, which is no doubt the reason why in some parts of Southern Europe they are still known by the name of Syrian pears. But the geographer Ritter more than thirty years ago pointed out what seems to be a more probable derivation. A fine and late ripening pear is much cultivated in the neighborhood of Angora, and on account of its lateness in maturing used formerly to be in great favor at Constantinople. It was known as Beg-Armud, or the 'prince pear,' and the Crusaders, who traversed all Asia Minor, brought back with them the name and the fruit".