2 On the Varieties of the Citrus. [Appendix. 



German treatise,* in which the fruits in question are enumerated 

 and described, and muchinterestinginformation,concerningthem, 

 communicated. The substance of these particulars will not be 

 found unworthy of attention, and I will briefly lay it before the 

 Society. It may perhaps appear new ; it is, at least, very far 

 from being generally known, and even to those, who are best ac- 

 quainted with the matter, it may not altogether be indifferent. 



Dr. Sickler does not profess to be a botanist ; and his statements, 

 accordingly, rather have a popular than scientifick form. This, 

 however, does not give them less value : for they are, notwith- 

 standing, founded upon accurate observation, and detailed with 

 much diligence. He does not distinguish the genus Citrus ac- 

 cording to its species, and these again according to their res- 

 pective varieties, as a botanist would do ; but arranges the whole 

 under certain heads and divisions, to which he assigns the dif- 

 ferent fruits, conformably to some obvious characteristicks. Of 

 the Citrus, collectively, he specifies no less than 74 sorts, though 

 he acknowledges, that he has not mentioned all that may be re- 

 counted, but only those which are most known and esteemed. 



The Italians of the present day, comprehend all those fruits 

 under the name of Agrumi. This term (which is not explained 

 by Dr. Sickler), signifies acid fruits, being derived from the 

 Italian adjective agro, which means acid or acrid, Agrumi, 

 therefore, in the widest sense, denotes all vegetable productions, 

 which have an acid, or acrid, taste ; under which denomination 

 will come not merely acid fruits, but acid, or acrid vegetables, of 

 any description, such as leeks, onions, and bitter, or sour, herbs. 



* The title is : Der vollkommene Orangerie- Gartner, oder Vollst'dndige Besehreibung 

 der Limonen, Citronen und Pomeranzen, oder der Agrumi in Italien, und ihrer 

 Cultur. Von D. Sickler. Weimar, 1815. Ato. That is, " The complete Orange- 

 Gardener, or a complete Description of the Lemons, Citrons, and Oranges, or of 

 the Agrumi in Italy, and their culture." 



