CHAP. XLII. ROSA CEH, AMYGDALUS. Gr7 
differ so essentially in their chemical compositions; the kernel of the bitter 
almond containing the deleterious principle of prussic acid, which does not 
exist in the kernel of the sweet almond, although found in its bark, leaves, 
and flowers. The existence of hydrocyanic, or prussic, acid, as a vegetable 
principle, was discovered in 1802, by Bohm, in the distilled water of bitter 
almonds. It was also discovered in the leaves of the common laurel, by 
Schrader, in the same year; in peach blossoms and leaves, by Vauquelin ; in 
kirschewasser, by Von Ittner; and in the bark of the bird cherry, by Jahn. 
In all these, and many similar substances, the acid is modified by its combina- 
tion with volatile oil. Hydrocyanic acid has recently been much used in 
pulmonary inflammation, asthmas, sympathetic coughs, &c. It is prepared by 
the Apothecaries’ Company of London from cyanuret of mercury, hydro- 
chlorie acid, and water. Dr. Duncan, however, prefers the distilled water 
of bitter almonds, or laurel water, in these diseases, as being more manage- 
able, and less liable to decomposition. Bitter almonds consist of 100 parts 
of fixed oil, 54 of albumen, 24 of liquid sugar, 6 of gum, 3 of fibre, 4 of 
pellicles, 5 of water, and 4 of acetic acid, out of 200 parts. (Stephenson’s 
and Churchills Med. Bot., and Dons Mill.) 
In domestic economy, sweet almonds, and also the common sort, are brought 
to the dessert in the husk, green, or imperfectly ripe; and also in aripe state, 
with or without the husk; there is also a preserve made of green almonds. 
After they are ripe, they are frequently brought to table without the shell, and 
sometimes blanched; that is, deprived of the thick wrinkled skin which en- 
velopes the kernel, by putting them for a few minutes in scalding-hot water. 
The kernels are much used in cookery, confectionery, and perfumery, on ac- 
count of their agreeable flavour. The leaves are employed, in common with 
those of the peach and nectarine, for giving a flavour to gin, whisky, and 
other spirits. In nursery gardening in France, the almond is much used as 
a stock for grafting the peach and the apricot. Almond stocks, however, are 
far inferior to plum stocks in point of hardiness, durability, and facility of 
transplantation. Almonds form an extensive article of commerce. The Valen- 
cia almond is sweet, large, flat, pointed at one extremity, and compressed in 
the middle. The Italian almonds are not so sweet, smaller, and less depressed 
in the middle. The Jordan almonds come from Malaga, and are the best 
sweet almonds brought to England. The bitter almonds come chiefly from 
Mogador. (Thom. Disp.) The British revenue, from the tax on Jordan 
almonds, according to M‘Culloch, was, in 1832, upwards of 5000/.; the duty 
being 4/. 15s. per ewt. The price of Jordan almonds, in London, in 1833, was 
from 75s. to 100s. per ewt.; Barbary bitter almonds, 31s. per ewt.; Valencia 
sweet almonds, from 72s. to 75s. per cwt. (Z‘Cull. Dict.) 
Historical, Poetical, and Mythological Allusions. The beauty of the almond 
tree, its flowering at a period when most other trees appear scarcely to have 
escaped from the icy chains of winter, and the extraordinary profusion of its 
flowers, have combined to render this tree, from the earliest ages, a favourite 
of the poets. The first mention of the almond is found in Holy Writ, when 
Moses, to ascertain from which of the twelve tribes to choose the high priest, 
put twelve rods into the tabernacle, and found, the following day, the almond 
rod, which represented the tribe of Levi, covered with leaves and blossoms. 
Virgil, in the Georgics, welcomes it, when flowering profusely, as the sign of 
_a fruitful season. Spenser, in his Faerie Queene, compares the nodding 
plumes of Prince Arthur’s helmet to an almond tree. 
‘© With blossoms brave bedecked daintilie ; 
Whose tender locks do tremble every one, 
_ At every little breath that under Heav’n is blown.”’ 

Many modern poets have also noticed the almond tree; but, perhaps, the 
most beautiful of all the allusions to it is that by Moore : — 
“ The hope, in dreams of a happier hour, 
That alights on misery’s brow, 
Springs forth like the silvery almond flower, 
That blooms on a leafless bough.” 
V jay fare 
