258 INTRODUCTION TO PLANT GEOGRAPHY [CHAP. 



Sweet Potatoes, Yams, and Cassava), on one or other of which 

 practically the whole human population of the world is primarily 

 dependent. Useful additional ' vegetables ' include Beets and 

 Chard, Salsify, Carrots, Parsnips, Radishes, Swedes, Turnips, 

 Jerusalem Artichokes, Taros, Dasheens, Onions and their allies. 

 Artichokes, Asparagus, Cabbages and Kales and their allies. Celery, 

 Chicory, Endive, Lettuces, Rhubarb, Spinach, Dandelions, Water- 

 cress, Avocado, Breadfruit, Jack-fruit, Cucumber, Pumpkins and 

 Squashes and their allies, Yautias, Chayote, Egg-plant, Okra, Tomato, 

 etc. There is no need to point out that the staples among the above 

 constitute the mainstay of human life on earth, different ones in 

 different regions affording the chief (and often almost sole) food of 

 teeming millions. 



Other important groups of foods are legumes (the fruits of members 

 of the Pea family, Leguminosae) and nuts (the term being used in 

 the layman's sense). The former category includes Peas of various 

 kinds. Chick Peas, Pigeon Peas, Cowpeas, Beans of various kinds 

 (produced by several different genera). Soybeans, Peanuts, Lentils, 

 Lablab, Algaroba and other Mesquites, Carob and other Locusts. 

 The nuts include some with a high carbohydrate content, such as 

 Chestnuts and Acorns, others with a high protein content, such as 

 Almonds, Beechnuts, and Pistachio-nuts, and many more with a 

 high fat content, such as Coconuts, Brazil-nuts, Cashew-nuts, 

 Hazel-nuts, Macademia-nuts, Hickory-nuts and Pecans, Walnuts 

 and their allies, Pili-nuts, and Pine-nuts. 



Fruits used regularly by Man for food, and commonly cultivated, 

 are very numerous as well as various in their botanical significance. 

 Those produced mainly in temperate regions include such ' stone ' 

 fruits as Plums and Prunes, Cherries, Peaches and Apricots, such 

 ' pome ' fruits as Apples, Pears, and Quinces, such ' gourd ' fruits 

 as Melons and Watermelons, and such ' berries ' as the various kinds 

 of Grapes, Blackberries and Raspberries, Blueberries and Huckle- 

 berries, Cranberries, Currants and Gooseberries, Strawberries, and 

 Mulberries. The fruits produced in warm regions or often only in 

 the tropics include the diverse types of Citrus fruits such as various 

 Oranges, Lemon, Grapefruit, Lime, Citron, Tangerine, Kumquat, 

 and products of their hybridization. Bananas of various kinds. 

 Custard-apples and their allies. Dates, Durian, Figs of various kinds, 

 Guavas and their allies, Granadillas of various kinds. Jujube, Litchi, 

 Loquat, Mamey, Mangoes and their allies, Mangosteen, Olive, 

 Papaya, various Persimmons, Pineapple, Pomegranate, Sapodilla and 



