82 DESCRIPTIVE BOTANY. 



China and Japan it is sweet. As it is propagated from seed the varieties are 

 numerous. 



Geography. — The zone of the Shaddock is the same as that of the orange 

 and lemon. It is cultivated in China, Japan, and the islands of the Pacific, 

 and has been carried by Europeans to the West Indies and southern Europe. 



Etymology. — The application of the name decamana, which signifies " by 

 tens," is not apparent. The common name, Shaddock, was given because it 

 was taken from China to the West Indies by Captain Shaddock. 



History. — According to the best authorities the home of the Shaddock is* 

 the islands south of Asia. It is cultivated in China, where it is called sweet 

 ball, on account of the sweet taste of the pulp. The varieties brought to our 

 market are bitter. The trees are raised from seed, and the Chinese engraft or 

 propagate upon them buds and cuttings of the sweet varieties. 



The tree is a beautiful evergreen, with dark, shining leaves always adorned 

 with fruit, and part of the time with both flowers and fruit, — the fruit in vari- 

 ous stages of advancement making the most charming object imaginable for 

 the lawn, in all regions of no frost. 



The fruit forms an important article of commerce. 



3. C. Limonum, Risso. (Lemon.) Stem 12 to 15 feet high, branched into a 

 symmetrical head, branches armed. Leaf ovoid or elliptical, dark green on 

 both sides, leathery, entire, petioles winged. Elower white and fragrant. Fruit 

 a golden yellow, from 2 to 4 inches in diameter, and lengthened at the poles, 

 making a prolate spheroidal berrv, ending in a short, teat-like process; pulp is 

 divided into cells or compartments from 10 to 20 in number, each containing 

 one or more seeds. In the cultivated varieties the seeds are frequently few 

 ill number, many cells being vacant. 



Varieties. — Like the orange it sports freely, and there are 38 distinct varie- 

 ties, all of which possess some prominent quality which commends them to the 

 grower, — the differences being in size, shape, thickness of skin, or intensity 

 of acidity. 



Geography. — The zone of the lemon is the same as that of the orange. 

 Most of the lemons that enter into commerce are grown in the south of Europe. 

 The island of Sicily produces excellent lemons, and sends nearly all it produces 

 to the U. S. Large quantities are now grown in Florida. 



Etymology. — The specific name of the lemon is from Lymoun, the Arabic 

 name for lemon. The common name, lemon, is a corruption of the specific 

 name, Limonum. 



History. — The home of the lemon is India and western Asia. It is said 

 to have been known to the ancient Jews. Theophrastus and Dioscorides 

 both speak of it, but it was not known to any extent in Europe before the 

 Crusades, at which time it is said to have been carried into western Europe 

 from Syria, where it had been brought by the Arabs from beyond the Ganges. 

 Writers of the twelfth century inform us that it was common in Italy and 

 Egypt. It has also been stated that it was under cultivation in Italy in the 

 third century. 



4. C. Limetta, Risso. (Lime.) Small tree, 8 to 10 feet in height, trunk 

 crooked or zigzag, forming a dense, spreading head 6 to 8 feet in diameter, 

 branches armed with sharp, strong spines, or prickles ; some of the petioles 

 winged. Leaves ovate-orbicular, serrate-toothed or entire, dark green above, 

 lighter underneath. Flowers white ; petals 5. Stamens sometimes 30 in 

 uuraber. Fruit a globular berry, protruding at top, an inch and a half in 



