170 THE LIME-TREE. 



account of its coming late into leaf, and shedding 

 its foliage early in autumn, and was supplanted 

 by the Hornbeam and Elm ; but many of the 

 cities of continental Europe still boast of their 

 public walks of Lime-trees, which in the hours 

 of relaxation are numerously frequented by 

 persons of all classes and ages. The Dutch, 

 especially, plant them in lines along their wddest 

 streets, and by the sides of their canals, and the 

 whole country is perfumed by them during the 

 months of July and August. Evelyn, in whose 

 time straight walks and formally grown trees 

 w^ere in vogue, recommends the Lime as/^of all 

 other, the most proper and beautiful for walks, 

 as producing an upright body, smooth and even 

 bark, ample leaf, sweet blossom, the delight of 

 bees, and a goodly shade at the distance of eigh- 

 teen or twenty -five feet." 



The Lime-tree, though not applied to so many 

 uses as it was in the time of Pliny, is valuable 

 for many purposes. In the Belgian Horticultu- 

 rist it is stated, that " the flowers infused in cold 

 water are antispasmodic ; and in hot water they 

 make an agreeable kind of tea. The leaves and 

 young shoots are mucilaginous, and may be em- 

 ployed in poultices and fomentations. The tim- 

 ber is better adapted than any other for the 

 purposes of the carver ; it will take any form 

 w^hatever ; it admits of the greatest sharpness in 

 the minute details, and it is cut with the greatest 

 ease. It is also used for sounding boards for 

 pianos and other musical instruments. But the 

 peculiar use of the Lime is for the formation of 

 mats from its inner bark. In June, when the 

 leaves begin to develope themselves^ and the tree 



