AUKANTIACEiE. 
127 
r l li is species is supposed to have been introduced into 
Europe, at the same time with the Orange, about the era of the 
Crusades. r l he rind, like that of the Citron, abounds with an 
essential oil. The acid obtained from the pulp resembles, and 
is employed lor similar purposes as that of the Lime. 
3. Citrus Lima. Lime-tree. 
Petioles with the wings narrow, leaves oval obtuse 
obscurely crenulated, stamens 25, fruit subglobose, 
pulp acid. 
Bot. Miscel. I. 300. 
HAB. Cultivated. 
FL. After the rains in Spring. 
A tree, of a shrubby growth, seldom more than 12 feet in 
height ; branchlets compressed, subtrigonal, glabrous. Leaves 
oval, obtuse. Spines axillary, divaricating. Calyx regularly 
5-toothed. Petals 5, subequal, lineari-lanceolate. Stamens 
usually 25. 
This plant forms a beautiful and strong fence: and, as it is of 
a quick growth, it attains, in not more than three years, suffi- 
cient height and strength, for the intended purpose. The rind 
of the fruit is thin, and the acid contained in the pulp, is very 
abundant, and much purer than what is procured from the 
lemon. The Lime, according to Galiseo, appears to have been, 
like the Citron, known at a very early period ; and he states 
that it was the tree, which, with the box, according to Theo- 
phrastus, Harpalus found some difficulty in establishing at 
Babylon. It is from the fruit of this species that the principal 
supply of Citric acid is obtained. This acid is very much em- 
ployed in dyeing, to brighten certain colours, such as those 
procured from indigo, carthumus tinctorius, &c. It is also of 
considerable value in a medicinal point of view, and the use of 
it has been found of service in preserving the health of seamen 
during long voyages. It may be sent to Europe by saturating 
quick-lime with the juice of the fruit, and packed in barrels. 
4. Citrus Limetta. Bergamotte or Siveet Lime. 
Petioles subalate, leaves ovate serrate, stamens 30, 
fruit subglobose, pulp sweet. 
HAB. Cultivated. 
FL. Beginning of the year. 
This species has the growth of a tree, but in other respects, 
with the exception of what is noticed in the specific character, 
there is very little difference between it and the common Lime. 
It was first cultivated at Bergamo, a city of Italy ; and hence 
it came to receive the name of Bergamotte. 
