246 PRUNUS DOMESTICA. 
of the Germans. This variety is regarded as one of the best of plums, and is too 
extensively known to require description. It was introduced into France by the 
wife of Francis I. Hence the name, Reine-claude. It is called Gage in Eng- 
land, after the name of the family who first cultivated it there. 
3. P. d. myrobalana, Limiseus. Myrobalan Plum-tree, Cherry or Indian Plum- 
tree ; Prunier myrobalan, or Cerisette, French; Kirschpflaumenbaum or Indischer 
Pflaumenbaum, German. This variety appears to be first removed from the 
bullace plum, (Primus insititia,) and may be distinguished by its narrow sepals, 
globose, depressed fruit, and small-pointed nut, It is supposed by some to be a 
native of North America, but it is only found in this country in a state of culti- 
vation. It well deserves culture as an ornamental tree, on account of its very 
early flowering, which takes place much sooner than the fruit-bearing varieties, 
generally; consequently, it is liable to be injured by frost. 
4. P. d. damascena, De Candolle. Damask or Damascene Plum-tree; Pru- 
nier de damas, of the French. 
5. P. d. turonensis, De Candolle. Orleans Plum-tree ; Monsieur hatif of the 
French. This variety is said to have been introduced into Britain from Orleans, 
in France, when that part of the country was in the possession of the English. 
6. P. d. juliana, De Candolle. Sle. Julienne Plum-tree, which yields the offici- 
nal primes. 
7. P. d. catharina, De Candolle. St. Catharine Plum-tree. The fruit of this 
variety is a large, yellowish plum, of an oval shape, tapering towards the base, 
and is distinguished for its remarkably sweet and agreeable flavour, when fresh 
and ripe from the tree. 
8. P. d. aubertiana, De Candolle. Egg Plum-tree, or Magnum Bonum. 
This variety, as in the plums cultivated for their fruit, generally, has larger 
leaves, flowers, and fruit, and comes later into bloom than the other kinds. 
9. P. d. prunealina, De Candolle. Damson-tree, common and well known. 
10. P. d. washingtonensis. Washington or Bolmar Plum-tree. This variety 
may be known by its roundish, yellow fruit, of an excellent quality, vigorous 
growth, and pyramidal head. It is very hardy, a great bearer, and particularly 
deserves cultivation. 
11. P. d. flore pleno, Loudon. Double-blossomed Plum-tree, with large, hand- 
some flowers. If the roots of this variety are not supplied with an abundance of 
nourishment, the flowers will degenerate into semi-double or single ones. 
12. P. d. foliis variegatis, Loudon. Variegated-leaved Plum-tree. 
Geography and History. The Primus domestica appears to be more widely 
diffused in its original locality than the apricot. It is believed to be indigenous 
to the south of Russia, Caucasus, the Himalayas, and to many parts of Europe. 
In England, and in some parts of the United States, it is sometimes found in 
hedges, but never truly wild. This species and many of its varieties are culti- 
vated for^ ornament, or their fruit, in all the temperate countries of the habitable 
globe. Faulkner, in his " Kensington," makes the plum a native of Asia, and 
an introduction into Europe of the Crusaders. Gough, in his "British Topo- 
graphy," says, that Lord Cromwell introduced the Perdrigon plum into England 
in the time of Henry VII. 
The introduction of this tree into the United States dates back to the earliest 
periods of their settlements. Several valuable and interesting varieties have origi- 
nated in this country, among which, the Bolmar or Washington plum stands 
conspicuous. The parent tree is said to have been purchased in a market in 
New York, about the end of the last century. It remained barren for several 
years, till, (luring a violent storm of thunder, the entire trunk was severed to the 
earth, by lightning, and destroyed. The part remaining in the ground, after- 
wards threw up several vigorous shoots, which were allowed to remain, and 
