184 



PLANTS AND MAN 



Grapes were used in making wine (see p. 241) for centuries 

 before they were grown to be eaten as a fruit; perhaps for this 

 reason, they can boast an antiquity greater than that of most 

 fruits. Grape seeds have been found in Egyptian tombs 3000 

 years old, and undoubtedly were being cultivated several thou- 

 sand years before that. The grape genus includes climbing vines, 

 common to temperate portions of both the Old and the New 

 World; the fruit is a true berry with several seeds buried in 

 watery pulp, developed from the ovary of the flower {^g. 118). 



Fig. 118. — ^The grape genus includes climbing vines common to all temperate 



regions. 



The European grape originated in the Caspian region of western 

 Asia, whence its culture spread around the Mediterranean and as 

 far as the Roman conquests could bring it. This species can be 

 grown only in warm climates, thriving in California and some of 

 our southern states. A variety of the European grape was brought 

 to Mexico by the Spaniards, and from there the padres introduced 

 it to the California missions. California is one of the largest grape- 

 producing areas, growing such varieties of the European grape as 

 the Tokay for eating, the Muscat for raisins, and the Zin- 

 FADEL for wine. Of the many native species growing wild in the 

 United States, only the fox grape of New England has become 



