THE MYRRH FAMILY. 



459 



terranean, Lisbon, and the Azores ; the Island of St. Michael's 

 produces very fine oranges. 



Oranges for export are gathered before they are perfectly 

 ripe, and on that account the true flavour is not known to 

 those who eat them in this country. In France, and other 

 parts, orange trees are much cultivated for the sake of their 

 flowers, from which are distilled Orange Flower -water, Oil 

 of Neroli, and Napha water. 



An immense quantity of Seville Oranges are used in making 

 marmalade, and of the common or Sweet Orange for making 

 wine. 



Kumquat (^Citrus Japonicd). A native of Japan and 

 China. In Chusan it occupies extensive slopes of hills, 

 bearing abundance of yellow fruit, which, when ripe, presents 

 a very grand appearance. The fruit is preserved in jars, and 

 forms an important article of export. The plant has been 

 recently introduced into this country, but is too tender for 

 the open air. 



Orange sticks are now largely used for walking-sticks ; 

 and the wood, which is of a yellow colour, is used for in- 

 laying. 



Bael or Bhel Fruit {^gle marmelos). A large tree, native 

 of Coromandel and other parts of India, producing a fruit 

 about the size of an orange, having a hard shell contain- 

 ing 10 to 15 cells, filled with tenacious transparent gluten 

 which is delicious and fragrant ; it is used as an aperient, 

 and in other ways medicinally, and is much esteemed. 



The fruit of Feronia elephantum is the wood-apple or 

 elephant' s-apple of India, the pulp of which is eaten by 

 the natives. 



The Myrrh Family. 



(AMYRIDACEiE.) 



Trees or shrubs, with simple, ternate, or winged leaves, 

 generally with pellucid aromatic oil-cells. Flowers in 

 panicles or racemes, generally small, inconspicuous. Fruit 

 dry and hard, sometimes splitting into valves. Fifty or 



