f9s 



BOTANY 



I'l'/i ni'uc. Flower perigynous, with a single earpfl seated on tha cap-shaped 

 receptacle (Fig. 620 B). Ovules two. Fruit, a one-seeded <lruje. The group 

 includes a number of important fruit trees. Pi'inms i-i-i-uatt*. the Wild Cherry 

 (Fig. 627); P. arivm, (^an : /'. iln,i<>-sti<-n. the 1'hiin : /'. //;/<///<. the A]>ricot, 

 ind /'. portion, the I'eaeh, are of Chinese origin : /'. ./;/(//</' W//s. the Almond, from 

 the eastern Mediterranean region. The two last-named species have hairy fruits. 



Fin. 627. I'ntnvs i-ci'asux (jj nat. si/e). 1, Flowering shoot ; .', ttouvr out in two (slightly 

 ) : .;, fruits ; /,, fruit cut through loniritudiiuilly. 



The succulent mesocarp of the Almond dries up as the fruit ripens, and ruptures, 

 setting the stony endocarp free. 



(/) Chrysobalancae. Frequently with dorsiventral Mowers. A single carpel. 



POISONOUS. The seeds of many Rosaceae contain amygdalin, but usually not 

 in such amount as to be poisonous, owing to the resulting hydrocyanic acid, when 

 eaten fresh in* small quantity ; this is, however, often the case with the residuum 

 left after the seeds, e.g. of bitter almonds, have been crushed. The leaves of the 

 Cherry Laurel (Prunus lauroccmsus) may also give rise to toxic etfect>. 



OFFICIAL. ROSAF. (t.vi.i.i''.\r. PK IAI.A from cultivated plants ol Jinan i/allicu ; 



