262 THE LIME-TREE. 



The seed-vessels are globular and downy, but rarely 

 perfect the seeds in England. "While the Lime-tree is 

 in flower, it is frequented by myriads of bees, which 



"Sit on the bloom, extracting liquid sweets 

 Deliciously." 



Honey from the Lime is considered superior to all other 

 kinds for its delicacy of flavour : it is to be obtained in a 

 perfectly pure state only at the little town of Kowno in 

 Lithuania, which is surrounded by an extensive forest of 

 Lime-trees. The pleasing sound produced by the busy 

 collectors, joined to the fragrant perfume diffused by 

 the flowers, frequently gives occasion for its being planted 

 near houses, in preference to other more picturesque trees. 

 Even after the flowers have faded and fallen to the ground 

 the odour is perceptible, the ground remaining for a long 

 while thickly strewed with the withered stamens, which 

 retain their fragrance to the last. Towards the end of 

 September the leaves turn to a bright yellow, and in the 

 course of the following month fall off. 



The custom of making avenues of Lime-trees was 

 adopted in the time of Lewis XIV., and accordingly the 

 approaches to the residences of the French as well as the 

 English gentry of that date were bordered with Lime-trees. 

 It subsequently fell into disrepute for this purpose, on 

 account of its coming late into leaf, and shedding its foliage 

 early in autumn, and was supplanted by the Hornbeam 

 and Elm : but many of the cities of continental Europe 

 still boast of their public walks of Lime-trees, which in the 

 hours of relaxation are numerously frequented by persons 

 of all classes and ages. The Dutch, especially, plant 

 them in lines along their widest streets, and by the sides 

 of their canals, and the whole country is perfumed by them 

 during the months of July and August. Evelyn, in whose 

 time straight walks and formally-grown trees were in 

 vogue, recommends the Lime as, " of all other, the most " 

 proper and beautiful for walks, as producing an upright 



