If we are to believe Switzer, it was brought over by
Julius Caesar, and formed part of “ the furniture” of
the Gardens of Alcinous. According to Manger, it
is of the highest antiquity, and was, without doubt,
in former times, the only one to which they gave
the name, which is also now applied to other similar
flat Pears. This name, he says, is not derived from
Bergamo in Italy, as many have believed, but from
the Turkish words beg or bey, a prince, and ar-
moud, a pear. He also shews that this princely
Pear was formerly written, not Bergamotte, but Be-
garmoud, by referring to Groen’s Niederländischen
Gartner. As its name is Turkish, he infers that
this sort must have come from Turkey, and consequently
originated in a warmer climate.
With us, the Autumn Bergamot ripens remarkably
well on standards, even as far north as Yorkshire.
It is in eating in October, decaying soon
after.
W ood yellowish brown, not much spotted.
Leaves middle-sized, oval, wavy, generally entire.
S t ipu l e s long, linear; the leaves of the
fruit-spurs ovate, slightly cordate, on long, slender
petioles.
F lowers m id d le -siz ed . P etals roundish,
obovate, overlapping each other.
F ruit small, approaching the middle size, depressed,
globular, hollowed at the eye and s ta lk ;
the latter is short and thick. E ye open, in a regularly
formed shallow depression. S k in a little
rough with russet, reddish n ex t the sun, fading into
brownish green. F lesh whitish, a little gritty n ex t
the core, very juicy, sugary, and rich.
Ill
' - .s 4-