NECTARINE.-AMYGDALUS, 

 MUCPERSCEA. 



In Botany, a Genus of the Icosandria Mono- 

 gynia Class. 



THIS fruit is thought to have derived it's 

 name from Nectar, a beverage supposed to 

 be drunk by the heathen gods. 



It is a native of Persia, and was brought 

 into this country, with the peach, about the 

 year 1524. It does not appear at that time 

 to have been distinguished by any name 

 distinct from other peaches of which it is a 

 species, as Gerard was living when it was 

 first obtained, and published his History of 

 Plants about thirty-five years later, wherein 

 he describes four kinds of peaches, and says, 

 " they are set and planted in gardens and 

 vineyards : I have them all in my garden," 

 continues he, " with many other sorts," 

 which shows there was a variety when first 

 introduced. He mentions one kind of peach 



