ROSACEiE. 123 



Geography. — The geugraphicjil limit of tliis fruit is between 30° and 42° 

 north latitude. The tree grows well in the latter parallel, but does not fruit 

 freely north of 45° It fruits well in Virginia, and as far north as central 

 New Jersey. 



Etymoloi/i/. — The (dd name, Atm/r/ddlus, is fr(jm the, (ireek a/xvaau), lacer- 

 ate, due to the gashes and fissures in the shell or husk. The specific name, 

 comnninis, J^atin, signifies "common," and nana means "dwarf." The varietv 

 name cunara is also from the Latin, and signifies " bitter." 



History. — The home of the iilmond is Persia and western Asia. It is aLso 

 indigenous throughout the countries of the Levant, and was no doul^t carried 

 thence to northern Africa, southern Europe, and eastern Asia, and by European 

 colonists was brougli.t to the U'nited States. 



Use. — The sweet almond is a favorite jiut, and is nmch esteemed as a 

 dessert. It is largely used in confectionery and sauces. The bitter almond 

 is used in cookery, for flavoring, and in perfumery. The nut constitutes an 

 important article of commerce. Turbid water from the river Nile is cleared 

 by rubbing bitter almonds on the inside of the vessels which hold it. 



Oils. — Fixed or sweet oil of almonds of commerce is obtained In- pressure 

 from both sweet and bitter almonds. When bitter almonds are used, the 

 residuum or cake is subjected to fermentation, and the volatile oil or essential 

 oil of bitter almonds is obtained therefrom by distillation. This oil contains 

 Prussic or hydrocyanic acid, in its concentrated form a virulent poison. Prop- 

 erly diluted, essential oil of ahnoiids is a pleasant and wholesome substance for 

 flavoring custards, puddings, etc. 



PYRUS, L. (Pear, Apple.) Calyx superior to ovary, pitcher-shaped, 

 5-cleft. Petals 5, roundish. Stauieiis many. Styles 5, frequently 

 united at the base. Fruit a fleshy pome, with 5-2 carpels, consolidated 

 with the fleshy calyx-tube. Trees, with mostly simple leaves and free 

 stipules. 



1 P. malus, L. (Apple.) Stem .5 to 10 feet to the point where ramification 

 begins to form a diffusely branched head from 10 to 20 feet in diameter, and 

 20 to .30 feet high. Brnnchos slender. Leaves ovate, serrate, acute, crenate, 

 woolly on the under surface, glabrous and shining above. P'lowers in sessile 

 corymbs, roseate, a])])earing with the loaves. Fruit spherical. Carpels 2-seeded. 

 May. Fruiting from July to October. 



The number of varieties of the n])ple is very great, and as it is ])ro]iagated 

 from the seed, it sports freely, and new varieties are constantlv arising, (^f late 

 years the number has been greatly increased. In 1870 the number grown in' 

 the United States was over 1.500, everyone of which claims .some desirable 

 quality, and amateurs are yearly adding to the va.st catalogue ; vet so fre- 

 (juently do .some of these varieties deteriorate or die out that only about 89 

 are regarded as constant. 



Geography. — The apjde-tree flourishes in the ])arts of the north temperate 

 zone between the ])arallels of 3.5° and .50°. It does not fruit well soutli of that 

 limit unless in elevated localities. England, France. (Jermany, the Nether- 

 lands, Prussia, ancient Poland, the I'nited States, and .'Southern Australia 

 are the most im])()rtnnt a])ple-growing countries. The varieties which have 

 originated in America are numerous, and some of theni fur size and delicacy 

 of flavor excel any yet produced in Europe. 



