THE LIME ] 39 



The fruit is like an oval -shaped shaddock, with an indis- 

 tinct navel, only marked out by a broad groove, with the 

 peel of the same thickness and general appearance as 

 that of the shaddock, but with the fragrance of the 

 lemon. The juice is abundant, of the same appearance 

 and quality as ordinary lemon juice. The tree is pro- 

 ductive and very ornamental when in fruit. 



THE LIME. 

 (Citrus acida, Desf. and C. Limetta, Lin.). 



The foliage of the lime resembles that of the lemon, 

 both in shape and in fragrance, but is usually more 

 rounded. The young shoots never have the peculiar 

 purple tinge characteristic of the lemon and citron. The 

 blossoms are always pure white like those of the orange, 

 but are usually smaller. The fruits are small or middling 

 in size, with a yellow peel, which may become deep yellow 

 or chrome yellow at perfect maturity. The navel is always 

 well marked and usually prominent. 



The following varieties of the lime are found in our 

 gardens. 



i. The SEEDLESS PERPETUAL LIME. (M. = limett 

 fa bla zerrigha) . The tree attains a large size, with a thick 

 and spreading crown and a drooping habit, and thrives 

 in moderately shaded situations as well as in full 

 sunshine. It is very resistant to drought and to gumming 

 and is very productive, producing several crops of 

 blossoms and fruit, like the perpetual lemon. The fruit is 

 often borne in clusters, is elliptical in shape, middling 

 or rather small in size, with a short and pointed navel, 

 and a thin peel, which becomes light yellow at maturity. 

 The pulp is greenish or greenish yellow, absolutely 

 seedless, with abundant juice which is sprightly acid, 

 and somewhat bitterish. Several crops of fruit are 

 produced throughout the year as in the case of the 

 perpetual lemon, the crop produced by the autumn 



