THE LIME TREE. 355 
forms a round, bushy head. It is of little value as a timber 
tree, but seldom equalled for embellishment. 
T. Americana (L.), the American Lime tree, is of a more 
robust habit than the European tree. Its leaves are larger, 
of a dark-green colour, cordate, acutely-pointed, and generally 
smooth and shining. In Britain it is a month later than the 
common tree in expanding its blossoms. Its twigs are of a 
dark-brown colour, and the branches of the young trees 
generally take a wide range. In its native country the tree 
commonly attains the height of eighty feet. It has never 
become very common throughout Britain. Like the European 
species, it affects a rich, loose, deep soil ; on such it flourishes 
on the borders of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. The species 
contains several varieties, and their mode of propagation and 
treatment is the same as that stated for the common tree. 
The timber of both species is very similar; and the images 
affixed to the prows of American vessels are often carved on 
the timber of the Tilia Americana. 
