56 



COMMERCIAL BOTANY. 



different class from those we have just been considering, is 

 LIME JUICE, obtained from the fruit of the lime (Citrus 

 medica, var. acida), a native of India, but now cultivated 

 on a very large scale at Montserrat. The first lime-tree 

 orchards were planted in that island in 1852, and the 

 plantations of the Montserrat Company now cover an area 



COFFEE (Coffea arabica). 



of more than 600 acres, and contain 120,000 trees. The 

 trees are systematically cultivated, and the juice prepared 

 especially for the English market for use as a beverage. It 

 is brought to this country in large casks, and is here clarified 

 and bottled for the retail trade. Mixed with water, it forms 

 not only an agreeable and refreshing beverage, but it is also 



