IN EXTRA-TROPICAL COUNTRIES. 179 



Limonia acidissima, Linne. 



India, up to 4,000 feet ; hardy in England. This shrub or small 

 tree has fruit of extreme acidity. 



Lindera Benzoin, Blume. 



From Canada to the Gulf of Mexico, there called the Spice Laurel. 

 An aromatic bush, one of the hardest of the Order. The aroma 

 of the foliage much like that of Bay leaves. 



Linum usitatissimum, Linn6.* 



The Flax Plant. Orient. A well-known annual, which yields the 

 fibre for linen and the linseed oil. Few plants find a wider con- 

 geniality of soil and climate, and few give a quicker return. Good 

 and deep soil, particularly of forests, well-drained, is requisite for 

 successful flax culture. The Flax belongs to the Potash plants. 

 Change of seed-grain is desirable. Thick sowing extends the length 

 and flexibility of the fibre. To obtain the best fibre, the plant 

 must be pulled when the seeds commence to ripen. If the seeds 

 are allowed in part to mature, then both fibre and seeds may be 

 turned to account. If the seed is left to ripen completely, then 

 the fibre is generally discarded. The seed yields by pressure about 

 22 per cent, of oil. The residue can either be prepared as linseed 

 meal or be utilised as admixture to stable-fodder. The demand 

 for both fibre and oil is enormous. Two principal varieties are 

 under culture : a tall sort, with smaller flowers, closed capsules, and 

 dark seeds ; a dwarf sort, more branched (even if closely sown), 

 with larger flowers, and capsules, the seed-vessels opening spon- 

 taneously and with elasticity, while the seeds are of a pale colour. 

 None of the perennial species of Linum are so manageable in 

 culture as the ordinary aunual flax. 



Lippia citriodora, Kunth. 



Peru, Chili, La Plata States, Brazil. An evergreen shrub, yielding 

 scented oil, used for condiments, the leaves fit for flavouring tea. 



Liquidambar Altingia, Blume. 



At the Eed Sea and in the mountains of India and New Guinea, 

 at 3,000 feet. The tree attains a height of 200 feet. It yields the 

 fragrant balsam known as Liquid Storax. 



Liquidambar Formosana, Hance. 



China. A silk-producing insect is reared on this tree (Hance). 



Liquidambar orientalis, Miller. (L. imberbe, Aiton.) 



Asia Minor. This tree also yields Liquid Storax, which is vanilla- 

 scented, containing much styrol and styracin, and thus used for 



