LETTUCE OF ECONOMIC PLANTS. 243 



to have been introduced into Italy by llio Crusaders, and 

 ultimately spread into all countries of the INIediterranean suit- 

 able to its growth ; it has also been naturalised in the West 

 Indies and Florida. The fruit is oblong, oval or ovate, the apex 

 terminated by a small blunt knob ; it is similar to that of the 

 citron, but differs in the rind being smooth. Lemons are im- 

 ported into this country from Spain and ports on the Mediter- 

 ranean chiefly for their agreeable acid juice and essential oil, 

 used for flavouring confectionery and the like, as well as for 

 making acid drinks ; citric acid is also prepared from it. 



Lemon Grass {Andro^'iogon Schcenanthus), a perennial tufted 

 grass with long leaves, growing wild, as well as cultivated, in 

 many parts of India. It yields an essential odoriferous oil used 

 in perfumery. {See Citronella.) 



Lemon, Wild Water. {See Granadilla.) 



Lentil {Lens escidenta, better known as Ervum lens\ a weak, 

 pea -like, wing -leaved annual of the Bean family (Legu- 

 minosoe), cultivated in Egypt and Palestine from remote 

 antiquity ; its seeds being the Lentil of Scripture spoken of in 

 the time of Jacob, of which the red pottage given to Esau was 

 made. It is still cultivated in Southern Europe and many parts 

 in the East. The meal of Lentils is very nutritious, and in this 

 country is advertised as an invalid food under the quack names 

 of " Ervalenta " and " Eevalenta." 



Lentisk Tree. {See Mastic.) 



Leopard-wood. {See Letter-wood.) 



Letter-wood, Snake-wood, or Leopard-wood {Brosimitm 

 Auhletii), a large tree of the Bread-fruit family (Artocarpaceae), 

 native of tropical America, and also found in Trinidad. Its 

 beautiful mottled and streaked wood is much valued by cabinet- 

 makers, and is used for inlaying. 



Lettuce {Lactuca sativa), an annual plant of the Composite 

 family (Compositse). Its native country is unknown, but it is 

 generally supposed to be Asia. It has been cultivated in this 

 country for 300 years. There are several varieties, the summer 

 or Cos Lettuce being the best. Their properties are narcotic ; the 



