348 



COLLEGE BOTANY 



This includes the genus Pyrus which contains the apple 

 (Fig. 185) and peai'. The apple (P- mollis) is. supposed to have 



Fig. 186.— Peach. 



originated in Asia and was well-known before the Christian era. 

 It is very generally believed that all our cultivated varieties 



FiQ. 187. — Peach, an example of the stone fruits. The plum and cherry are other examples. 



were derived from the crab-apple. A very large number of 

 varieties are cultivated, especially in the north temperate zone, 

 and it may be considered as the most important of all fnrits. 



