LIME TREE. 



TILIA. 



TILIACEJE. POLYANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 



French, tilleul ; Italian, tiglio, tiglia ; English, lime, or linden, 

 (which is the German name also), and in Lincolnshire, bast, 

 because ropes are made from the bark. Gerarde adds line tree. 



The Lime, Tilia Europcza, is a tall upright tree, with 

 smooth spreading branches, thickly clothed with al- 

 ternate heart-shaped, smooth, serrate leaves, pointed at 

 the ends, of a very cheerful green. The flowers are of a 

 yellowish colour, delightfully fragrant, especially at night, 

 growing in clusters of four or five together, and blowing 

 in July. 



The Lime is a native of most parts of Europe, and of 

 Japan. The small-leaved variety grows wild in many 

 parts of England, in woods, and on grassy declivities. 

 The common, and other varieties, are more commonly 

 seen cultivated in hedges, avenues, parks, &c. and before 

 houses. It will bear the smoke of London tolerably well. 



The Lime-trees in St. James's Park are said to have 

 been planted at the suggestion of Mr. Evelyn ; probably 

 with a view to the improvement of the air, which they 

 have been thought to effect. 



The Dutch plant Limes in abundance by their canals ; 

 and during July and August the whole country is per- 

 fumed with their blossoms, overcoming the unpleasant 

 effluvia arising from the stagnant water at that season. 

 Miller complains that it has been much neglected, be- 

 cause it sheds its leaves early in the autumn, and does 

 not put them forth till late in the spring. They begin 





