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DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



Northern India, and is supposed to have migrated westward 

 in early times. It was introduced into the South of Europe 

 during the Crusades. 



Lime {Citrus Limetta). This and the preceding are 

 similar to the Citron, differing only in the form of their 

 fruit, and it is very questionable if they are distinct species. 

 The fruit of this is somewhat oval, with a depression at the 

 top. With the lemon it affords the Lime juice, useful as 

 an antiscorbutic, and now extensively used on long sea 

 voyages. 



Seville or Bitter Orange {Citrus Bigaradid). This has a 

 bitter rind, which forms the principal Candied Orange-peel of 

 the shops ; it also yields a bitter tincture. Our greatest im- 

 port comes from Spain. 



Shaddock {Citrus decumand). Said to be a native of 

 China, and now extensively cultivated in Jamaica and other 

 West India Islands. It bears a large fruit, sometimes nearly 

 2 feet in circumference, called Pompoleon, or more generally 

 Pomaloe ; the smaller ones are called Forbidden Fruit, and 

 are known by these names in the London fruit-shops. 



Sweet Orange {Citrus Aurantium). Found wild in India, 

 but was early cultivated in Persia, and in course of time 

 extended westward to the Mediterranean, thence to Italy, it 

 is said about the eleventh century. Like other plants long 

 cultivated by man, many varieties have sprung up, such as 

 the Blood or Malta Orange, which has a small fruit with 

 red rind and flesh. The Mandarin is also a small, rather 

 flat fruit, having a thin rind, which, when ripe, readily 

 separates from the pulp. It is very rich and sweet, and is 

 extensively grown and highly prized in China. The Ber- 

 gamot is a small-fruited orange, from which an essence is 

 obtained, called Bergamot Oil. 



There are several others, such as the Finger Orange, but 

 they are grown more for curiosity. 



The Orange, Lemon, and their principal varieties, form a 

 considerable article of commerce, the great supply to this 

 country coming from Malta and other parts of the Medi- 



