299 



the Hegira, and sown in Oman, whence they were afterwards 

 conveyed to Palestine and the shores of the Levant. It was 

 probably by the same warlike people that they were first 

 propagated in Spain, as well as in their possessions in 

 Northern Africa. 



It is not wonderful that these fruits attracted the curiosity 

 of the Crusaders of the north. Returning to their homes 

 and families, they carried with them some seeds of the pro- 

 ductions, which, in a distant country, had excited their ad- 

 miration. It was thus that the orchards of Europe became 

 enriched, not only with individuals of the Orange kind, but 

 with other fruit trees, such as the Apricot of Alexandria, 

 and the Damascene Plum. These foreign fruits were more 

 especially cultivated by the monks ; the most refined as well 

 as most luxurious class of the community in those days. 

 Even at the present time, where the climate permits, these 

 plants are always in great numbers about monastaries, occu- 

 pying a principal place in the garden.* I need scarcely add, 

 that their cultivation is now carried on in every civilized 

 country, the desire of possessing them having, in cold climates, 

 first led to the idea of erecting buildings capable of producing 

 an artificial climate, such as is suited to the growth of plants 

 of more favoured regions. 



The rind of the Lemon, like that of the Citron, abounds 

 with an essential oil. The fruit is principally esteemed, how- 

 ever, for its agreeable acid juice, adapted as a condiment 

 both for animal and vegetable substances. It has been found 

 during long voyages a preventive against scurvy, and is said 

 to be an antidote to vegetable poisons. It is of great im- 

 portance, serving as a mordant for fixing vegetable reds. 

 Thus large quantities are employed in Turkey-red dyeing, 

 and for the purpose of freshening the colour yielded by the 

 Carthamus tinctorius. 



* There is an Orange in the court of the convent of St. Sabina at Rome, 

 which is still alive, although it is said to have been planted six hundred years 

 ago, by the hands of Saint Dominic. 



