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PEACH. PERSIC A, OR AMYGDALUS. 



Natural order, Pomacea. A genus of the Icosandria 

 Monogynia class. 



" Myself will search our planted grounds at home, 

 For downy peaches and the glossy plum." 



Virgil. 



THE Greeks called this fruit 'AjtwyaXq and 'A/xyy8aXov ; 

 from the lines or furrows on the stone, from which the 

 Latins derived the name of Amygdalus. 



The Italians call this fruit Persiche, the French Peche, 

 from which the English name seems derived. 



All the ancient authors agree that the peach-tree is a 

 native of Persia; and it appears that the fruit was 

 thought to be of a poisonous nature. It is evident that 

 there had formerly been traditionary tales of this fruit 

 having been sent into Egypt to poison the inhabitants. 

 Columella says, in his 10th book : 



" And apples, which most barbarous Persia sent, 

 With native poison arm'd (as fame relates): 

 But now they Ve lost their pow'r to kill, and yield 

 Ambrosial juice, and have forgot to hurt ; 

 And of their country still retain the name." 



The peaches which grow in the province of Ghilan in 

 Persia, are still said to be very unwholesome and injuri- 

 ous, from the great moisture of the earth. 



Pliny, in his 15th book, chap. 13, mentions, that they 

 had been stated to possess venomous qualities; and that it 



