Although mentioned by most of the early continental writers, the Api does not appear to have been known in this country, till towards the end of the 17th century. It is first mentioned by Worlidge, who calls it “Pomme Appease, a curious apple, lately propagated; the fruit is small and pleasant, which the Madams of France carry in their pockets, by reason they yield no unpleasant scent.” Lister, in his “Journey to Paris, 1698,” speaking of this as being one of the apples served up in the dessert, says, “Also the Pome d’Apis, which is served here more for show than for use; being a small flat apple, very beautiful, and very red on one side, and pale or white on the other, and may serve the ladies at their toilets as a pattern to paint by.” De Quintinye calls it “Une Pomme des Damoiselles et de bonne compagnie.” Under the name of _Lady Apple_, large quantities of the Api are annually imported to this country from the United States, where it is grown to a great extent, and produces a considerable return to the growers, as it always commands the highest price of any other fancy apple in the market. In the winter months, they may be seen encircled with various coloured tissue papers, adorning the windows of the fruiterers in Covent Garden Market. There are other varieties mentioned by J. B. Porta as belonging to the Api family; one which ripened in August, in size like the Claudiana already mentioned, and commonly called _Melo Appio Rosso_, because it retained the scent of the Api; this is probably the Rother Sommer-api of Diel. There is another, of which he says, “Assererem tuto esse Melapium Plinii,” and which was held in such estimation as to give rise to the proverb-- “Omme malum malum præter appium malum.” [I] Plinii Hist. Nat. Lib. xv., cap. 14. [J] Villæ, p. 278. 7. API GROS.--Duh. IDENTIFICATION.--Duh. Arb. Fr. 1, 312. Hort. Soc. Cat. ed. 3. SYNONYMES.--Pomme Rose, _Quint. Traité_, I. 203, but not of Knoop. Pomme d’Api Gros. _Ron. Pyr. Mal._ 39. Passe-rose, _Chart. Cat._ 55. Grosser Api, Rosenapi, _Diel Kernobst._ iv., 228. Api Rose. Doppelter Api, _Acc. Christ Handworter_. Rubenapfel, _Ibid._ Api Grand, _Ibid._ FIGURE.--Ron. Pyr. Mal. pl. xx. f. 1. Fruit, below medium size, two inches and three quarters wide, and two inches high; oblate. Skin, pale green, changing as it ripens to pale yellow on the shaded side, and pale red, mottled with green, where exposed to the sun. Eye, small and closed, set in a shallow and plaited basin. Stalk, short, inserted in a wide, rather deep, and russety cavity. Flesh, greenish, tender, crisp, very juicy, and briskly flavored. Suitable either for the dessert, or for culinary purposes; it is inferior to the Api and not a first-rate apple. In use from December to March. The tree has much similarity to the Api in its growth, and is a good bearer.