50 



which head it is to be found in modern botanical 

 works. 



The fruit of this shrub, agreeably to the general 

 law of nature, where the Stamina are found inserted 

 into the Calyx, is not prejudicial if eaten ; yet a distil- 

 lation from its leaves produces the strongest vegetable 

 poison we are acquainted with. Before the year 1728, 

 this poisonous quality was not known ; previous to 

 that time the common people in Ireland were used to 

 mix one part of laurel-water with four of brandy in 

 their drams, and without being conscious of any par- 

 ticular ill effect from the practice ; but in that year 

 two persons were suddenly killed by taking about four 

 table spoonsful each as a cordial, which gave the first 

 proof of its being a powerful poison. 



SERVICE TREE is a native of the warmer parts 

 of Europe, where it becomes a large and lofty tree. 

 Ray says that it has been observed to grow in many 

 places in the mountainous parts of Cornwall ; and by 

 Dr. Plot, to grow wild in many places of the Moorlands 

 in Staffordshire. There is a solitary tree in the mid- 

 dle of the Forest of Wire, near Bewdley, which, to 

 increase the wonder, has been considered to be wild, 

 but there are evident marks of that tee having been 

 planted there. 



The tree blossoms in May, and the fruit in taste is 

 somewhat like a medlar, but inferior. 



I have called it Pyrus Domes tica, in conformity to 

 the opinion of Dr. Smith and Crantz, and in which 



