On the Love Apple. 



was used in the manner stated above, in the warmer coun- 

 tries of Europe. 



To the old gardeners and botanists the plants were known 

 by the more regular name of Solatium pomiferum, and they 

 were also called Poma amoris, Poma aurea, Mala aurea, 

 Love Apples, Amorous Apples, and Golden Apples; the last 

 appellation, as well as the corresponding Latin ones, seems 

 derived from the colour of the fruit. I do not find any 

 specific cause assigned for the other denominations; Par- 

 kinson, who enumerates them, says that they are so called 

 " all as much to one purpose as another, more than for their 

 beautiful aspect." In Hernandez' History of Mexico, a 

 reason is assigned for the use of these terms ; but it seems 

 rather speculative than appropriate. 



The name of Lycopersicum* originated with Galen, but 

 it has not been ascertained to what plant it was given. 

 GESNERf entered into some investigation on the subject, 

 but it did not lead to certainty. It is clear that the plant could 

 not have been a native of South America, and consequently 

 not the Tomato. But notwithstanding this consideration, 

 Anguillara| in 1561, published a conjecture that the Ly- 

 copersicum of Galen was the Tomato, and on this autho- 

 rity it acquired in aftertimes the name of Lycopersicum Galeni. 

 In the Adversaria^ of Pena and Lobel, in 1570, and in the 



* Lycopersicum means Wolfs Peach (from Auxo ? , a wolf, and wpnxov, a 

 Peach,) implying that the fruit was of such inferior quality, as to be fit only for 

 the use of that animal. 



t See John Bauhin's Hist. Vol. iii. page G20. 



+ Anguil. Simp, page 217. 



§ Lobel Adversaria, page 108. 



