85 



acid ; from Leguminosae by the latter character, and also by their regular 

 petals and stamens, and especially by the odd segment of the 5-lobed calyx 

 of that order being inferior, not superior ; from Chrysobalanese by their 

 hydrocyanic acid, terminal styles, and regular petals and stamens. I have 

 seen a monstrous Plum with an indefinite number of ovaria arising irre- 

 gularly from the tube of the calyx, and therefore exhibiting a tendency, 

 on the part of this order, to assume one of the distinguishing characters of 

 Rosaceee. 



Geography. Natives exclusively of the northern hemisphere, where 

 they are found in cold or temperate climates. One species, Cerasus occi- 

 dentalis, is a native of the West Indies ; a kind of Almond, Amygdalus 

 microphylla, inhabits hot arid plains in Mexico ; and another, A. cochin- 

 chinensis, is reputed to grow in the woods of Cochinchina. 



Properties. The astringent febrifugal properties of Rosacese, with 

 which order these are usually combined, are also found in Amygdalese ; 

 as in the bark of Cerasus virginiana, which is prescribed in the United 

 States, and of the C. capollim of Mexico. They are, however, better 

 known for yielding an abundance of prussic, or hydrocyanic, acid, a deadly 

 principle residing in the leaves and kernel ; in consequence of which some 

 of the species are poisonous to cattle which feed upon them : as, for example, 

 the Cerasus capricida, which kills the goats of Nipal ; and the C. virginiana, 

 which is known in North America to be dangerous. They all of them, also, 

 yield a gum, analogous to gum tragacanth. Notwithstanding, however, the 

 poisonous principle that is present in them, their fruit is, in many cases, a 

 favourite food ; that of the Amygdalus (peach and nectarine), Prunus (plum 

 and apricot), and Cerasus (cherry), are among the most delicious with which 

 we are acquainted ; the seed of Amygdalus is familiar to us under the name 

 of almonds, and its oil under the name of oil of almonds. The bark of the 

 root of Cerasus capollim is used in Mexico against dysentery. Dec. The 

 leaves of Prunus spinosa (sloe), and Cerasus avium (wild cherry), have been 

 employed as a substitute for tea. Ibid. The former are well known to 

 afford one of the means used in Europe for adulterating the black tea of 

 China. Prunus domestica, or the common plum, yields those fruits sold in 

 the shops under the name of prunes, which are chiefly prepared in France, 

 from the varieties called the St. Catherine and the green-gage ; and in 

 Portugal from a sort which derives its name from the village of Guimaraens 

 where they are principally dried. They contain so large a quantity of sugar, 

 that brandy is distilled from them when fermented ; and it has even been 

 proposed to manufacture sugar from them. A. R. The kernel of Prunus 

 brigantiaca yields a fixed oil, called Huile des Marmottes, which is used 

 instead of olive or almond oil. Ibid. The bark of Prunus spinosa is one of 

 the substances that has been reported to resemble Jesuits' bark in its eftects. 

 Ibid. Prunus cocomilia yields a bark, the febrifugal properties of which 

 are spoken of very highly. According to M. Tenore, it is a specific for the 

 cure of the dangerous intermittent fevers of Calabria, where it grows. A 

 variety of Cerasus avium is used for the preparation, in the Vosges and the 

 Black Forest, of the liqueur known under the name of Kirschenwasser. 

 The flowers of Amygdalus persica (peach) are gently laxative, and are used 

 advantageously for children. The kernel of Cerasus occidentalis is used 

 for flavouring the liqueur Noyau. 



Examples. Prunus, Amygdalus, Cerasus. 



