ARBORETUM ET FRUTICETUM BRITANNICUM. 



americhna pubescens. 



On a general view of the trees, the most obvious external differential cha- 

 racteristics of the European and American limes appear to us to be, that 

 the former have regularly cordate, and the latter obliquely cordate, leaves. 

 The other American limes we consider to be nothing more than varieties of 

 this species. Layers. These trees only thrive in warm sheltered situations. 

 The American lime is readily distinguished from the European limes by the 

 largeness of its leaves, which are 3 in. to 4 in. wide, heart-shaped, acutely 



pointed, coarsely and mucronately serrated, deep green and glabrous on their 

 upper sides, and pale green beneath. Some of them have a tendency to be 

 slightly pubescent ; but they are generally smooth and shining. In winter, 

 this species is readily recognised by the robust appearance of the trunk and 

 branches, and by the dark-brown colour of the bark on the young shoots. 

 This circumstance alone is a very marked distinction ; and has, no doubt, pro- 

 cured for the species the name of the black lime tree. 



