( 974a*) 
ferted in the calyx, furnifhed with fimple anthere. Germen oblong, 2 s 
fupporting a columnar ftyle, terminated by a blunt ftigma., Fruit 
drupous, refembling a {mall cherry both in its external and internal : a, 
ftructure. 
It is a native of the Levant, and appears to have been long culti- 
vated in Britain, and by its polifhed evergreen leaves adds much to 
the beauty of our fhrubberies. 
The leaves of the Lauro Cerafus have a bitter ftyptic tafte, accom- 
panied with a flavour refembling that of bitter almonds, or other 
kernels of the drupaceous fruits. The flowers of this plant alfo 
manifeft a fimilar flavour. The powdered leaves, applied to the 
noitrils, excite {neezing, though not fo ftrongly as tobacco. 
The kernel-like flavour which thefe leaves impart being generally 
efteemed grateful, has fometimes caufed them to be employed for culi- 
nary purpofes, and efpecially in cuftards, puddings, blancmange, &c. 
and as the proportion of this fapid matter of the leaf to the quantity 
of the milk is commonly inconfiderable, bad effets have feldom 
enfued. But as the poifonous quality of this laurel is now indu- 
bitably proved, the public ought to be cautioned againft its inter- 
nal ufe. ee 
The following communication to the Royal Society, by Dr. Madden 
ef Dublin, contains the firft and principal proofs of the deleterious © 
effects of this vegetable upon mankind. “ A very extraordinary 
“ accident that fell out here fome months ago, has difcovered to us a 
** moft dangerous poifon, which was never before known to be fo, 
“ though it has been in frequent ufe among us. The thing I mean 
“ is a fimple water, diftilled from the leaves of the Lauro-cera/is.— 
“* ‘The water is at firft of a milky colour, but the oil which comes 
“ over the helm with it, being in a good meafure feparated from the 
phlegm, by paffing it through a flannel-bag, it becomes as clear as 
*““ common water. It has the fmell of bitter almond, or peach ker- 
“* nel, and has been for many years in frequent ufe among our houfe- 
wives and cooks, to give that agreeable flavour to their creams and 
“ puddings. It has alfo been much in ufe among our drinkers of 
“* drams; and the proportion they: generally ufe it in, has been one 
“ part of laurel-water to four of brandy. Nor has this practice, 
“« (however frequent) ever been attended with any apparent ill con- 
: “* fequences, 
