AURANTIACEiE. 127 



This species is supposed to have been introduced into 

 Europe, at the same timewitlj the Orange, about the era of the 

 Crusades. Tiie rind, like tliat of the Citron, abounds with an 

 essential oil. The acid obtained from the pulp resembles, and 

 is employed for similar purposes as that of the Lime. 



3. Citrus Lima. Lime-tree. 



Petioles with the wings narrow, leaves oval obtuse 

 obscurely crenulated, stamens 25, fruit subglobose, 

 pulp acid. 



.. Bot. Miscel I. 300. 



HAB. Cultivated. 



FL. After the rains in Spring-. 



A tree, of a shrubby growth, seldom more than 12 feet in 

 height ; branchlets compressed, subtrigonal, glabrous. Leaves 

 oval, obtuse. Spines axillary, divaricating. Calyx regularly 

 5-toothed. Petals 5, subeqnal, lineari-lanceolate. Stamens 

 usually 25. 



This plant forms a beautiful and strong fence : and, as it is of 

 a quick growth, it attains, in not more than three years, suffi- 

 cient height and strength, for the intended purpose. The rind 

 of the fruit is thin, and the acid contained in the pulp, is very 

 abundant, and much purer than what is procured from the 

 lemon. The Lime, according to Galiseo, appears to have been, 

 like the Citron, known at a very early period ; and he states 

 that it was the tree, which, Avith the box, according to Theo- 

 phrastus, Harpalus found some difficulty in establishing at 

 Babylon. It is from the fruit of this species that the principal 

 supply of Citric acid is obtained. This acid is very much em- 

 ployed in dyeing, to brighten certain colours, such as those 

 procured from indigo, carthumiis tinctorius, &c. It is also of 

 considerable value in a medicinal point of view, and the use of 

 it has been found of service in preserving the health of seamen 

 during long voyages. It may be sent to Europe by saturating 

 quick-lime with the juice of the fruit, and packed in barrels. 



4. Citrus Limetta. Bergmnotte 07' Sweet Lime. 



Petioles subalate, leaves ovate serrate, stamens 30, 

 fruit subglobose, pulp sweet. 



HAB. Cultivated. 



FL. Beginning of the year. 



This species has the growth of a tree, but in other respects, 

 Avith the exception of what is noticed in the specific character, 

 there is very little difference between it and the common Lime. 

 It was first cultivated at Bergamo, a city of Italy ; and hence 

 it came to receive the name of Bergamotte. 



