436 NATURAL HISTORY OF PLANTS. 



Bithynia.^ So, too, our Plums, sprung from Prurnis domestica L., 

 and insititia L., would come originally from the Caucasus, where both 

 these species are indigenous, and from Greece, where we find the 

 latter." The Apricots of our gardens spring from P. Armeniaca L., 

 whose country is indicated by its specific name; it is also said 

 to have been found wild in the neighbouring countries, in Anatolia, 

 and even in Upper Egypt. The Peaches, introduced into Grreece 

 and Italy about the first century of the Christian era, descend from 

 Prunus persica {Amygdalus persica L.), whose specific name also 

 seems to denote its country ; but according to A. De Candolle, 

 it would come from China rather than from Western Asia. The 

 Almond was introduced into Eome from Greece, and is affirmed to 

 grow wild in the mountains south of the Caucasus ; but its spon- 

 taneity in these localities has been doubted.^ In Greece it is certainly 

 introduced. Its original country has been supposed to extend " over 

 Persia, Asia Minor, Syria, and even Algeria." As regards the Pear 

 {Pyriis communis D.), it is, says A. de Candolle, " alike spontaneous 

 in temperate Europe and the district of the Caucasus." The same 

 country is ascribed to P. Malus L., which seems the source of all our 

 Apples,^ austere and sweet. The Quince {Cydonia vulgaris L.) appears 

 to be spontaneous in certain localities of Europe ; this is certainly 

 the case in Greece and Italy. The Easpberry and Strawberry have 

 long been cultivated in our countries, but their European origin has 

 never been doubted ; and, as regards their very numerous edible 

 varieties, " no one shrinks from recognising in them the species so 

 common in the temperate regions of Europe and Asia." The Cocoa- 

 plum {Chrysobalams Icaco L. ; Fr., Icaquier) is the last species of 

 fruit tree which seems to us worthy of special attention. There can 

 be no doubt as to its being a native of Equatorial America. But 

 when we find the same plant or its varieties in different regions of 

 tropical Africa, and in conditions which would seem to prove that 

 it is spontaneously developed there, we may ask ourselves whether 



Cherries are said to have been first brought trees, except the Peach, appear to be of Caucasian 



from^ Pontus to Rome, in the time of Lucullus. origin ; and on this point, nearly all botanists 



The Damson (Fr., Prune de Damns) has, are agreed according to A. De Canwollk (op. 



however, been supposed to have been brought to cU., 878-891). I should, liovvcver, add, on the 



Europe dunng the crusades. authority of Tuorel, that he has seen most 



" An vere spontanea V Lkdeb., Tl. Ross., of our liosacerp with odiblc fruits growing wild, 



"• f'l and no doubt spontaneous, in tlie temperate 



In short, all the above enumerated fruit regions extending north-eust of Cochin China. 



