348 



COLLEGE BOTANY 



This includes the genus Pyrus which contains the apple 

 (Fig. 185) and pear. The apple (P. mains) is supposed to have 



FIG. 186. Peach. 



originated in Asia and was well-known before the Christian era. 

 It is very generally believed that all our cultivated varieties 



FIG. 187. Peach, an example of the stone fruits. The plum and cherry are other examples. 



were derived from the crab-apple. A very large number of 

 varieties are cultivated, especially in the north temperate zone, 

 and it may be considered as the most important of all fruits. 



