TAPPUACH (11)S171), translated apple' in the A. V., has been the subject of considerable differ ence of opinion among authors on Biblical Botany. Most admit that app/e is not the correct translation, for that fruit is indifferent in Palestine, being pro duced of good quality only on Mount Lebanon, and in Damascus. Many contend that quince ' is the correct translation of Tappuach. Though somewhat more suitable than the apple, we think that neither the quince tree nor fruit is so superior to others as to be selected for notice in the passages of Scripture where tapplach occurs. The Arabs use the word toph or toofa, which closely resembles this in a generic sense, as the Greeks used ,41:7)Xoy and the Latins pomuni and milieu:. Thus Dios corides gives Mala vulgaria, Cotonea, Persica, Armeniaca, and Medica sive atria. The last, or citron, we think, has the best claim to be con sidered the TrAtuack of Scripture, as it was es. teemed by the ancients, and known to the He brews, and conspicuously different, both as a fruit and a tree, from the ordinary vegetation of Syria, and the only one of the orange tribe which was known to the ancients. The citron, resembling the lemon in form, but distinguished by its thick rind, was the ,a7Xoy 317754/Ay of Theophrastus, the 3177aitcdy of Dioscorides, and for which he gives as a synonym tcdp6/L77Xay. It was called citria and citromcla by the Romans, though their citron wood was produced by 77zuyaarticulata[THYINE Wool)]. That the citron was well known to the Hebrews we have the assurance in the fact mentioned by Josephus, that at the Feast of Tabernacles king Alexander Jannzeus was pelted with citrons, which the Jews had in their hands • for, as he says, the law required that at that feast every one should have branches of the palm-tree and citran-tree' Ceintiq. xiii. :3. 5). From this and other facts we
conclude that the Etz hadar of Lev. xxiii. 4o has reference to the citron fErz HADAR]. There is nothing improbable in the Hebrews having made use of boughs of the citron, as it was a native of Media, and well known to the Greeks at a very early period ; and indeed on sorne old coins of Samaria the citron may be seen, as well as the palm-tree ; and it is not an unimportant confirma tion that the Jews still continue to make offerings of citrons at the Feast of Tabernacles. Citrons, accordingly, are imported in considerable quan tities for this purpose, and are afterwards sold, being more highly esteemed after having been so offered.
The tappliack, or citron-tree, is mentioned chiefly in the Song of Solomon (ch. ii. 3, 5 ; vii. 8 ; 5). It occurs also in Pray. xxv. 1. In Joel i. 12 it is enumerated with the vine, the fig-tree, the palm, and pomegranate, as among the most valu able trees of Palestine. The rich colour, fragrant odour and handsome appearance of tbe tree, whether in flower or in fruit, are particularly suited to all the above passages of Scripture.—J. F. R.