ORANGE. 343 



SECT. I. SWEET ORANGE. 



1. COMMON ORANGE. (Citrus Aurantium.) 



An evergreen tree, of medium size, with prickly branches 

 in its wild state ; the fruit is round, from two to three 

 inches in diameter, of a yellowish red or golden color. A 

 native of India and China, but now cultivated in Spain, 

 Portugal, and Italy, in Africa, and the warm latitudes of 

 North and South America. 



. MANDARIN ORANGE. (Citrus nobilis.) 



The Mandarin or Noble orange is so called from its 

 superiority to all others. A most delicious variety, but 

 very lately introduced to Europe. The trees appear as 

 hardy as other kinds. The skin is of a deep saffron color, 

 or an orange scarlet. There are two varieties of the Man- 

 darin orange. The large variety is often five inches in 

 diameter ; but the Chinese greatly prefer the smaller vari- 

 ety, which is a distinct species from the common China 

 orange, (Citrus aurantium.) It is distinguished not only 

 from this, but from all others, by its curious form and su- 

 perior excellence. A native of Cochin China, and culti- 

 vated at Canton. 



3. BLOOD, or RED MALTA ORANGE. C. Aurantium 

 Melitensis. 



This, according to the Rev. Mr. Bigelow, is the boast of 

 the Island of Malta, and a most delicious fruit. " The pulp 

 inclines to the color of red, but not so much in mass, as 

 intermixed in streaks. It is not only more luscious, but 

 less husky, than the ordinary varieties of orange, and in 

 size is far surpassing." 



To this section also belong the Portugal orange, and many 

 other varieties. 



SECT. II. BITTER ORANGE. Bigaradier of the French. 



4. SEVILLE ORANGE. 



The leaves of this variety are larger and more beautiful 

 than those of the China orange. Its taste is agreeably 

 bitter. The varieties of the Bigarades are numerous. 



To the above sections belong also the Willow-leaved or 

 Turkey Orange ; the Dwarf Nutmeg Orange ; the Double 

 flowering, and the Variegated leaved, &c. &c. 



