The Drupiferce. 63 



the drupe indicates the line of junction of the two edges 

 of the carpellary leaf: in the almond, when ripe, they 

 fall asunder. 



The number of the Drupiferae altogether is about a 

 hundred. All are trees and shrubs, with leaves always 

 alternate, usually ovate or lanceolate; flowers formed of 

 five free petals, which are seated, with about twenty 

 stamens, upon the upper part of an urn-shaped and five- 

 lobed calyx, in the bosom of which is found the solitary 

 pistil. The flowers are usually pure white, sometimes of 

 a cheerful rosy colour, the shade occasionally so deepened 

 as to approximate magenta. They are prone to expand 

 very early in the year, scarcely preceded even by 

 the celandine, and are never later than the month of 

 May. Hence, more than any other trees of the fruit- 

 bearing class, the Drupiferae are subject when in bloom 

 to cruel storm-beating. The winds of March, however 

 "taken" by the loveliness of Perdita's daffodils, are merci- 

 less to the damson and the plum. The white petals are 

 wrenched away, and strew the ground as if with snow. 



The kernels of the fruit, and sometimes the leaves as 

 well, are noted for containing the basis of that deadly 

 poison, prussic acid. The bark, in many instances, yields 

 a peculiar kind of gum, not soluble in cold water, dis- 

 tinguished, accordingly, from acacia-gum by the name of 

 "cerasin." Dr. Beijerinck, of Amsterdam, has shown 

 that the effusion of this curious substance, familiar in the 

 translucent tears of the garden cherry, which hang from 

 the boughs like amber icicles, even more so, perhaps, 



