286 Fruits and Fruit-Trees. 



south and south-west of the Caspian, away to the borders 

 of the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean. It became 

 established in south-eastern Europe at a very early 

 period ; and was conveyed to the coasts of northern 

 Africa by the Phoenicians, eight or nine centuries before 

 the beginning of the Christian era. It was from Carthage, 

 probably, that the Romans received it, their name for 

 this fruit having been Malum Punicum. All sub-tropical 

 countries, in both hemispheres, are now possessed of it, 

 and wherever it occurs, when in flower and fruit, it is 

 one of the most striking ornaments of the soil. The 

 introduction to our own country took place about three 

 hundred years ago. Planted against a wall, in sheltered 

 corners, it endures the winter, but seldom blooms, except 

 in the south. When very fortunately circumstanced as to 

 artificial warmth from behind, it will ripen fruit every 

 season, as at Clevedon Court, Somerset, where, fifty or 

 sixty feet high, it leans against a broad old-fashioned 

 chimney. It fruits also when under glass. 



The pomegranates so plentiful in the shops towards 

 Christmas, and during the winter, are imported chiefly 

 from Spain and Portugal. 



THE BANANA (Musa Paradisiaca). 



THE Banana is the produce of one of the most splendid 

 plants in the world. Underground there is a substantial 

 root-stock, of long duration, from which arise stems six 



