16 
PLANT-LORE OP SHAKESPEARE 
Parkinson, “is a delicate fine fruit, well rellished when it begin- 
neth to be fit to be eaten, and endureth good longer than any 
other Apple.” With this description there is no difficulty in 
identifying the Apple-john with an Apple that goes under many 
names, and is figured by Maund as the Easter Pippin. When 
first picked it is of a deep green colour, and very hard. In 
this state it remains all the winter, and in April or May it 
becomes yellow and highly perfumed, and remains good either 
for cooking or dessert for many months. 
The Codling (2) is not the Apple now so called, but is the 
general name of a young unripe Apple. 
The “Leathercoats” (19) are the Brown Russets; and though 
the “ dish of Caraways ” in the same passage may refer to the 
Caraway or Caraway-russet Apple, an excellent little apple, that 
seems to be a variety of the Nonpareil, and has long been culti¬ 
vated in England, yet it is almost certain that it means a dish 
of Carraway Seeds. (See Carraways.) 
Hpvicota. 
(1) Be kind and courteous to this gentleman ; 
Hop in his walks, and gambol in his eyes ; 
Feed him with Apricocks and Dewberries, 
With purple Grapes, green Figs, and Mulberries. 
Midsummer Nighfs Dream, iii. 1, 167. 
(2) Go, bind thou up yon dangling Apricocks, 
Which, like unruly children, make their sire 
Stoop with oppression of their prodigal weight. 
Richard //, iii. 4, 29. 
(3) Would I were, 
For all the fortunes of my life hereafter, 
Yon little tree, yon blooming Apricocke ; 
How I would spread and fling my wanton arnres 
In at her window ! I would bring her fruit 
Fit for the gods to feed on. 
Two Noble Kinsmen, ii. 2, 291. 
