^/ie Mandarin Group of Oranges. 57 



variety would suit the Ceylon climate, if it were taken 

 up by planters. There may be many other parts of 

 India, free from too much cold, and from hot winds, 

 which might also suit this choice orange. I don't know 

 whether it has ever been tried in the Central Provinces, 

 the black soil of that country might suit it. There are 

 some varieties of oranges which suffer much by change 

 of climate and soil, others don't change, and lastly, 

 others vastly improve. 



The leaves of the mandarin are the smallest I 

 know. Some branches are covered with leaves not 

 larger than those of myrtle. Its typical leaf is pointed 

 and more like that of a suntara, and hardly ever so 

 emarginate, or crenate, as those of the keonla orange ; 

 their scent, however, is sui generis, and when once 

 tried, can be recognized again by the same person 

 with his eyes shut. The scent of the rind and the 

 flavour of the pulp, in a perfect fruit, such as those 

 found in English markets, are also very distinct. The 

 fruit also of the mandarin can be recognized by its 

 scent and flavour alone. 



(Nota dene, I have looked at the illustration of 

 the Citrus nobilis mandarin mentioned by De Can- 

 dolle, as given in Andrews' "Botanist's Repository," 

 pi. 608, British Museum. I was startled to rind it 

 called mandarin. It does not in the least resemble 

 the mandarin orange tree, neither in leaf, flower, 

 nor fruit. The leaves, as given in the plate, are 

 immense, and nothing like those of the mandarin 

 orange known in Europe and India. Then the colour 

 of the fruit is given as an ora.nge-6rowu. Admitting 

 that the illustration may have become discoloured by 

 time, although all the others appeared to have retained 

 their brilliant colouring, then even the size of some of 

 the fruit is enormous. It does not correspond to any 



