XXXVI. THE LINDEN TREE. 511 
There are several species in Europe, by some writers consid- 
ered as varieties of a single species, of which individuals are 
among the most remarkable trees in that region for age and size. 
One of unknown age, which has given its name to an ancient 
town in Wirtemberg, has a circumference of 54 feet, and branches 
extending in every direction 100 feet, and sustained by 108 
wooden and stone pillars. A lime tree in Berkshire, England, 
known to be more than 200 years old, has a diameter of 22 feet 
10 inches at 1 foot from the ground. 
The honey made by bees feeding on the flowers of the Euro- 
pean lime tree, is very excellent. An infusion of the flowers 
has long held, and deservedly, wide reputation as an anti-spas- 
modic medicine. The sap yields a considerable proportion of 
sugar, and is made, by fermentation, into an agreeable vinous 
liquor. A substance like chocolate has been made of the ripe 
fruit, but has the mconvenience of not continuing sweet. The 
wood was used by the ancients, according to Pliny, for buck- 
lers, on account of its flexibility, lightness, and resiliency; and 
the bark, to cover cottages, and form baskets; and the inner bark 
was employed, under the name Phily‘ra, to write on, and also, 
as in modern times, as a material for mats. The European 
Lime tree has been long cultivated in this country, and is per- 
fectly adapted to our climate. 
Only one species is found growing naturally in New England; 
three others occur in the Western and Southern States; which 
do not remarkably differ from ours. <A beautiful variety of the 
European species, called the Golden-twigged, would be a valu- 
able addition to our ornamental trees. 
Tre Linpen Tree. Lime Tree. Bass Woop. T. Americana. L. 
Figured in Michaux, Plate 131; and in Loudon’s Arboretum, V, Plate 24. 
From a powerful root which penetrates deep or spreads wide, 
this tree rises to a considerable height, with an even, erect, pil- 
lar-like trunk, and many branches. When growing freely by 
itself, it often assumes a conical form of striking regularity. 
Standing, as it often does, on the side of a steep hill, with its 
feet almost in the water, it throws out branches horizontally, 
