MELlACEiE. 83 



diameter, dull yellow; skiu thin ; pulp sliarply acid, divided like other species 

 of the genus iuto a uumber of cells, contaiuiug 1 or more seeds eadi. 



Varieties. — Less atteutiou has been given to the cultivation of the lime than 

 to that of the orange, hence the varieties are less numerous than of any other 

 species of this genus. 



Geograj)lit/. — The geographical zone of the lime is subtropical and trop- 

 ical. It arrives at the greatest height of fruit-bearing in a temperature not 

 below 70° Fahrenheit. It grows well in southern India, and in the West 

 India Islands, in southern Europe, and in uortiiern Africa. 



Etjjuwlogi). — The specific name of the lime, Limella, is said to be derived 

 from the city of Lima, near which it was largely cultivated, and the common, 

 or Englisli name, lime, is an abbreviation of the botanic name. Tliis history 

 of the name is not to be depended upon. 



Histori/. — The lio)ne of the lime is the same as that of the other species 

 of this genus, India east of the Indus, whence it was carried iuto western 

 Asia, southern Europe, and northern Africa by the Arabs ; but as it is 

 not edible, its culture for fruit was not prosecuted. Much attention has 

 been paid to its cultivation of late in the British West Indies. It grows 

 and fruits weU in moderately fertile soil, needs but little care, and lives to a 

 great age. 



Use. — The lime is used for its juice, which is the material for the manu- 

 facture of citric acid. It is also useful for setting or fixing dyes. The juice is 

 more acid than the juice of the lemon, though by some it is considered more 

 palatable. It is an important article of commerce between Portugal and Eng- 

 land, countries of central Europe, and the United States. In the West Indies 

 it is cultivated for liedging as well as for its fruit. 



Statistics. — Lime juice is manufactured in large quantities in the British 

 West Indies. Nearly 13,000 gallons are annually exported from the island of 

 Domingo alone. The ports of southern Spain export large quantities of the 

 fruit as well as of the juice. It is consumed in France, Germany, England, 

 and the United States. 



5. C. Medica, Risso. (Citron.) Fruit oblong, 6 inches long ; rind thick. 



Order XV. MELIACE^. 



The characters of this order are like those of Rutacese. Leaves 

 alternate and pinnate. Stamens united, forming a tube, the introrse 

 anthers sessile on its toi). Leaves rarely dotted. Mostly trees. 



Number of genera, 37. 



SWIETENIA, L. Calyx 5-cleft. Petals 7. Stamens 10, united into 

 a tube with 10 teeth, inclosing the anthers. Style short. Stigma 5- 

 rayed. Leaves alternate, even-pinnate. Leaflets opposite, entire, ovate- 

 lanceolate, unequal at the base. Flowers greenish-yellow, in axillary 

 panicles. Fruit woody, pear-shaped, 2 to 4 inches in diameter, 5-celled, 

 5-valved; seeds numerous and winged, imbricated in two rows. Large 

 tree. 



S. mahogani, L. ( Malic )gany Tree.) Stem 80 to 100 feet high, and .'i to 8 

 feet in diameter. Irregularly branched. Leaves compound, with four pairs of 



