THE SHADDOCK. 337 



with but little acidity and some acid, with but little 

 sweetness. The shaddock derived its specific name 

 from having been first carried from China to the 

 West Indies by Captain Shaddock. It has, however, 

 been neglected there, and now but seldom merits its 

 oriental name of sweet ball. The planters have never 

 been remarkable for their knowledge of science, or 

 their skill in the new operations of the arts; and 

 thus, instead of propagating the shaddock by bud- 

 ding, as is done in China, and which is the only way 

 that it can be improved, or even kept from degene- 

 rating, they have reared it from seed, and conse- 

 quently have generally obtained a harsh and sour 

 sort, which is of very little value. It is showy, no 

 doubt, from its size and the appearance of the tree 

 when growing ; but it is the least valuable or desirable 

 of the genus produced in the west. 



These are the four species of the orange genus 

 usually known in commerce; but, on account of the 

 beauty, the good qualities, and the abundance of 

 these delightful fruits, as well as the length of time 

 that they remain in season, they demand a more de- 

 tailed account than can, in this sketch, be given of 

 many of the other tropical fruits. The manner, too, 

 in which truth and fable are blended in their com- 

 mon history, renders such an account more de- 

 sirable ; and thus we shall devote a few pages to the 

 further consideration of the genus. 



At the time when the people of Europe first 

 visited the Levant in great numbers, that is, during 

 the crusades for the recovery of Syria from the do- 

 minion of the Saracens, oranges were found abun- 

 dant in that country. Though they were in reality 

 cultivated trees, their number, and the beauty and 

 goodness of their fruit, naturally caused the adven- 

 turers (who were not very conversant with Natural 



VOL. n. 11* 



