THE LIME. 339 
the other leaves. Through the bract a mid-vein 
runs, starting from the short stalk which connects 
the infloresence—stem bract and cyme—with the 
Tree, and proceeding to its rounded apex; and it 
is from near the centre of this mid-vein that starts 
the cyme, forking out and away from the mem- 
branous bract. Look against the light at this 
pale-green sheath now open, and you will see the 
delicate veinlets that beautifully branch and fork 
from the mid-vein, and the perfect system of 
reticulation ! 
But anon you pass under the Limes and the 
green balls have gone, for they have opened into 
floral crowns, green honey-cups diffusing sweetest 
odours, and offering honey to the bees! The 
five-petalled flowers give place to five-celled seed- 
vessels, and in due time, when the ripening comes, 
the wing-like bracts bear away, on the bosom 
of the wind, the germ-containing caskets—the 
microscopic storehouses of future Trees. 
From the beauty of the Lime pass we to its 
usefulness; and first, as to its leaves and flowers. 
These have been used as medicine, the former for 
fomentations, and for other healing purposes—for 
