THE ALMOND. 805 



The Almond-tree has a considerable resemblance 

 to the peach in the form of its leaves, and of its 

 blossoms, only the latter are more variable in colour. 

 It is probable that the almond is a native of the 

 western parts of Asia. The almond is mentioned in 

 the Scriptures as amongst the best fruits of the land 

 of Canaan. It is very plentiful in China, in most of 

 the eastern countries, and also in Barbary. In that 

 country it is the most early bearer of all the fruit 

 trees. It flowers in January, and gives its fruit in 

 April.* It does not appear that the almond-tree 

 (which is now abundantly cultivated for its fruit in 

 Italy, Spain, and the south of France) was so early 

 introduced into the first of these countries as the 

 peach, or that its native region was so well known, 

 " Greek nuts" being the name given to almonds at 

 Rome in the time of Cato. 



The fruit of the almond is not so attractive as that 

 of the peach ; because, instead of presenting the 

 same delicious pulp as that, the pericarp of the 

 almond shrivels as the fruit ripens ; and when the 

 ripening is completed, has become a horny kind of 

 husk, which opens of its own accord. The kernel of 

 some varieties of the almond is not defended by so 

 tough a shell as that of the peach and nectarine ; 

 for it is often so tender that the nuts break when 

 shaken together. 



In the south of Europe, where the almond is culti- 

 vated with as much care as the peach is in this 

 country, its varieties are carefully distinguished. The 

 bitter and the sweet are permanently distinct varie- 

 ties ; and after this leading character is observed, the 

 variety is further distinguished by the form and de- 

 gree of hardness of the shell. For instance, the 

 French have, " amandier a coque dure" " amandier 

 a coque demi-dure" " amandier a coque tendre." 

 * Shaw's Travels. 



