Uses and Commercial Products of the Citrus. 143 



produced. This appears originally to have been dedi- 

 cated to the memory of the Emperor Nero. He is 

 stated to have had perfumed showers come down from 

 the roof of his dining hall. He was evidently a great 

 patron of perfumers. The finest otto is considered 

 that which is extracted from the flowers of Citrus 

 aurantium (Portugal or sweet orange). It is called 

 ' Neroli Petale,' or ' Neroli Douce,' sweet Ne>oli. 

 The next quality is that from the flowers of the Citrus 

 Bigaradia, or Seville orange. It is called ' Neroli 

 Bigarade,' or bitter Neroli. 



"Another otto is distilled from the leaves and young 

 unripe fruit of different varieties of citrus. It is called 

 ' Petit Grain,' from the little oil specks in the leaves. 



"The 'Nerolis' are largely used for 'Hungary 

 Water' and ' Eau de Cologne,' and * Petit Grain ' for 

 scenting soap.* Of the latter there are various kinds, 

 according to the kind of leaf from which it is distilled." 



(NoTE. In Lucknow I once distilled " Petit Grain" 

 from the leaves of the common keonla orange, and 

 also some " Neroli" from the pummelo flower.) 



All kinds of citrus leaves,and flowers will yield, more 

 or less, an otto by distillation. 



Orange flower water can be used for the skin, the 

 hands, and the eyes as a lotion. Its use for confec- 

 tionery and for mixing with nauseous medicines is well 

 known. It is also a good carminative. 



The orange and lemon peels are rasped by a little 

 machine called " Ecuelle " ; or by a larger but similar 

 machine. The latter is a sort of barrel or drum with- 

 spikes inside. In this larger machine 100 or more 

 lemons are rasped at one time. The rasped rind is 

 then pressed in hair bags, and the oil is afterwards 



* There are now soap manufactories in India, and the distillation 

 of orange and lemon leaves might prove advantageous. 



