Vll 



terms to the advantage of society in ge- 

 neral. 



By those who have made the history of 

 fruits their study, it may be thought that the 

 Author has added but little new information. 

 This will be admitted, as he has not at- 

 tempted to search for unknown fruits, or 

 to relate anecdotes of them. His object 

 has been to collect the earliest and best in- 

 formation on this interesting subject, and to 

 bring it into a small focus, as the accounts of 

 fruits have hitherto been scattered in volu- 

 minous works, of so great rarity and value, 

 that none but those possessing extensive li- 

 braries could gratify their inquiries on this 

 subject, and even then it was obtained at a 

 great expense of time; nor would the Author 

 have been able to have compiled this humble 

 volume, but for the kindness of the late Sir 

 Joseph Banks, and several other botanical 

 friends, whose liberality allowed him access 

 to their collections. He is also greatly in- 

 debted to many of the members of the Hor- 

 ticultural Society, particularly to several prac- 



