246 PRUNUS DOMKSTICA. 



of tlio ricnnrins. Tliis variety is rogardcd as one of the l)ost of itlmiis. and is too 

 extensively known to riniiiire description. It was introduced int(t l-'rance by the 

 wife of Francis I. Hence the name, Rrinc-daudc. It is called Ga^e in Eng- 

 land, after the name of the family who first cnltivated it th(>re. 



3. F. n. MYKOHAi.WA. l/innieus. ATi/nifni/n/t Plinn-trrr. Clicrnj or TikI'koi ]*}i(in- 

 trer : Pnttiicr iiiynibiihiii, or ('rrisclle, French: Kirsrli/ifhiiiiinnhduin nr J/idi.sc/icr 

 I\fhiiimct)h(iiim. German. This variety appears to be first removed from the 

 bidlacc ])lnm. (Prniuis insititia,) antl may be distinguished by its narrow sepals, 

 globose, depressed fruit, and small-pointed nut. It is sujiposed by some to be a 

 native of ISorth America, but it is only found in this country in a state of culti- 

 vation. It well deserves culture as an ornamental tree, on accoimt of its very 

 early flowering, which takes place much sooner than the fruit-bearing varieties, 

 generally; conseciuently, it is liable to be injured by frost. 



4. P. D. D.MviAscE.N'A, Dc Caudollc. Dinnask or Damascene Plum-tree ; Pru- 

 nier de damas, of the French. 



5. P. D. TURONENsis, De Caudolle. Orleans Plnm-tree ; Monsievr hntif of the 

 French. This variety is said to have been introduced into Britain from Orleans, 

 in France, when that part of the country was in the possession of tlie English. 



6. P. D. JULIANA, De Caiidolle. Sle. Julienne Plum-tree, which yields the offici- 

 nal prunes. 



7. P. D. CATHARiNA, Dc Caiidolle. ^S*^. Catharine Plum-tree. The fruit of this 

 variety is a large, yellowish plnm, of an oval shape, tapering towards the base, 

 and is distinguished for its remarkably sweet and agreeable flavour, when fresh 

 and ripe from the tree. 



8. P. D. AUBERTiANA, Dc Candollc. Egg Plum-tree, or Magnufn Bo?wm. 

 This variety, as in the plums cultivated for their fruit, generally, has larger 

 leaves, flowers, and fruit, and comes later into bloom than the other kinds. 



9. P. D. PRUNEALiNA, Dc Candollc. Damson-tree, common and well known. 



10. P. D. WASHiXGTONENsis. Washington or Bolmar Phi7n-tree. This variety 

 may be known by its roundish, yellow fruit, of an excellent quality, vigorous 

 growth, and pyramidal head. It is very hardy, a great bearer, and particularly 

 deserves cultivation. 



11. P. D. FLORE PLENo, Loudon. Double-Uossomed Plum-tree, with large, hand- 

 some flowers. If the roots of this variety are not supplied with an abundance of 

 nourishment, the flowers will degenerate into semi-double or single ones. 



12. P. D. FOLKS VARiEGATis, Loudou. Varieguted-leaved Plum-tree. 

 Geography and History. The Prunus domestica appears to be more widely 



diffused in its original locality than the apricot. It is believed to be indigenous 

 to the south of Russia, Caucasus, the Himalayas, and to many parts of Europe. 

 In England, and in some parts of the United States, it is sometimes found in 

 hedges, but never truly wild. This species and many of its varieties are culti- 

 vated for ornament, or their fruit, in all the temperate countries of the habitable 

 globe. Faulkner, in his " Kensington," makes the plum a native of Asia, and 

 an introduction into Europe of the Crusaders. Gough, in his " British Topo- 

 graphy," says, that Lord Cromwell introduced the Perdrigon plum into England 

 ill the time of Henry VII. 



The introduction of this tree into the United States dates back to the earliest 

 periods of their settlements. Several valuable and interesting varieties have origi- 

 nated in this country, among which, the Bolmar or Washington plnm stands 

 conspicuous. The parent tree is said to have been purchased in a market in 

 New York, about the end of the last century. It remained barren for several 

 years, till, during a violent storm of thunder, the entire trunk was severed to the 

 earth, by lightning, and destroyed. The part remaining in the ground, after- 

 wards threw up several vigorous shoots, which were allowed to remain, and 



