THE ORANGE FAMILY. 



457 



seeds are poisonous, and eating them has proved fatal in 

 several instances, the action being similar to that of Strych- 

 nine, but not so rapid. It is called " Tutii" by the natives. 



C. thymifolia, also a native of New Zealand, and probably 

 only a variety of the preceding. Both are also natives of 

 Chili, but are not hardy in this country. 



ORANGE AND MYEEH ALLIANCE. 

 The Orange Family. 



( AURANTIACEJE.) 



Evergreen trees or shrubs, sometimes climbing and spiny, 

 simple or Tringed leaves, generally jointed with the foot- 

 stalks, and frao^rant, being full of oil-cells. Flowers solitary, 

 or in spiked racemes, generally white. Petals 3 to 5, free 

 or partially united. Stamens 5 to 10 or more, fr-ee or 

 united in one or more separate parcels. Fruit a pulpy berry, 

 small and 1 -seeded, or large, fleshy, and many-seeded, as in 

 the orange. 



About 100 species are known of this family, the greater 

 number being natives chiefly of India and other warm coun- 

 tries of the East, extending to China ; very few of America. 

 In Florida thousands of acres are said to be occupied by the 

 wild orange, which is believed to have been early introduced 

 from Europe. All contain a volatile aromatic oil. 



Citron [Citrus medica). A thorny, much-branched tree, 

 about 8 or 10 feet high, having pale green leaves, and an 

 oblong fruit 5 or 6 inches long, with a rough yellowish rind. 

 It takes the name Medica from the country of the Medes, 

 where it is described by Theophrastus as having been culti- 

 vated three hundred years before the Christian era ; it was 

 also cultivated by the Jews after their return from captivity 

 in Babylon. It is believed to have been introduced from 

 Palestine into Italy by the Romans. The oil of citron is 

 obtained from it. 



Lemon {Citrus Limonum). The Lemon is found wild in 



