TREES AXD SHRUBS 



159 



until it liiis been changed to some form of sugar; and 

 emulsin is tlie specific ferment which tlie plant develops, 

 in order to accomplish this change in the amygdalin. 

 So far as the seeds are concerned the danofer is not 



great, unless they are eaten after they have commenced 

 to germinate, or after they have been bruised. But 

 on several occasions cattle have sutfered, and it has 

 happened in this way. In the manufacture of oil of 

 almonds, the refuse, still containing 

 much oil, 18 pressed into cakes and 

 SCTved as food to cattle. In this food 

 the ehanse mentioned above some- 

 times takes place, and the cattle fed 

 on it are poisoned. A verdict of man- 

 slaughter was returned against a 

 clergyman who had prescribed and 

 administered oil of bitter almonds to 

 one of his parishioners. This oil con- 

 tains from 8 to 15 per cent of prussic 



mid. 



Essence of 



IS 



also 



Laurel 



very poisonous. For the reason given 

 above, concoctions which give an 

 almond flavour to the products of 

 the confectioners art are not without danger. 



The 



leaves of the Peach, the Plum, and the Cherry are to 

 be regarded as poisonous; in fact, the leaves of every 



arded with sus- 

 picion, because the formation of amygdalin seems to 

 occur throughout the family. One member demands 

 special treatment on account of its importance both as 

 a poison and as a medicine. 



Common Laurel or Cherkv Laurel (Priinits Laura- 



cera8U^\ — The shrub is very common, and is readily 

 recognized by its leaves. Tliese are 5 to 7 inches long, 

 somowdiat oblong in form, and possessing a very short 



