CITRUS. 



anthers oblong. Ovary many-celled : ovules 4-8 in each cell 

 one above the other in a double row, pendulous. Style terete 

 Stigma hemispherical. Fruit baccate, 7-9-celled : cells with 

 several seeds, filled with a fleshy substance composed of numer- 

 ous irregular pulpy bags or vesicles, which are mere cellular 

 extensions of the sides of the carpels. Trees or shrubs with 

 axillary solitary spines. Leaves reduced to one terminal leaflet 

 jointed with the apex of the petiole: petiole often winged. 



Linnseus admitted but two species of this genus, the Citron and the 

 Lemon; and no one knows what the real limits are between those 

 additional species recognised by modern Botanists. They seem to have 

 originated in the northern parts of India and in China where wild plants 

 abound ; but the latter are extremely different from those known in a 

 cultivated state, and no better course seems to present itself than to 

 follow the views of M. Risso, who has paid much attention to the clas- 

 sification of the species in Italy and whose distinctions are adopted by 

 M. De Candolle. Dr. Hamilton indeed declares that the only distinct 

 species in his opinion are the Shaddock on the one hand, and all the 

 remainder on the other. But I think few persons would be disposed 

 to believe in the identity of the Orange and the Lemon. 



316. C. Aurantium Risso ann. mus. xx. 181. t. 1. f. 1 and 2. 

 DC. prodr. i. 539. (The Sweet orange.) 



Stem arborescent. Leaves ovate-oblong, acute, a little serrulated, 

 with the stalk more or less winged. Flowers white. Fruit roundish, 

 very seldom pointed, golden yellow or tawny. Cysts in the rind 

 convex. Pulp sweet. Leaves are feebly bitter and contain a volatile 

 oil. They have been used, in the form of powder, or infusion, in 

 spasmodic diseases. The young unripe fruit dried and turned in a 

 lathe are the issue peas of the shops. The rind is a mild tonic and 

 aromatic ; large quantities are said to be sometimes productive of 

 mischief. Juice refreshing in fevers. Orange flowers yield the officinal 

 oleum aurantii or Oil of Neroli. 



317. C. Bigaradia Duham. ed. nov. vii. 99. Risso Orang. 

 p. 148. C. vulgaris Risso ann. mus. xx. 190. DC. prodr. 

 i. 539. C. aurantium Bot. Reg. t. 346. S. and C. i. t. 14. 

 (The Seville Orange.) 



Branches spiny. Leaves elliptical, acute, with a winged stalk. 

 Flowers very white. Fruit uneven, more or less globose, deep yellow, 

 with an acid and bitter pulp. Tree smaller and flowers sweeter than 

 in the sweet orange. Rind of the fruit more bitter and tonic than 

 that of the last species, and therefore more employed medicinally. 



318. C. Limetta Risso ann. mus. xx. 195. t. 2. f. 1. DC. 

 prodr. i. 539. (The Lime.) 



Leaves ovate, obovate and oblong, placed upon a wingless stalk. 

 Flowers small and white. Fruit ovate or roundish, pale yellow, with a 

 boss at the point. Cysts in the rind concave. Pulp subacid, flat, 

 slightly bitter. The fruit yields the oil of bergamot of the shops ; it 

 is used in medicine on account of its odour. 

 163 M 2 



