150 THE SCIENCE OF LIFE. 



Many of the plants of this order yield edible fruits, as 

 Raspberries, Strawberries, Plums, Apples, Pears, Cher- 

 ries, Peaches, and Apricots. Plants of the sub-order 

 Amygdaleae are remarkable for the presence of hydro- 

 cyanic acid, as in the kernel of the Almond, (Amygdalns 

 communis^ especially the bitter Almond ; the leaves 

 of the Peach, (Amygdalus persica,) and of the Cherry- 

 laurel, (Prunus Laurocerasus.} The sub-order Pomeae 

 supplies Apples, Pears, and Quinces. The seeds contain 

 hydrocyanic acid. The other sub-orders have plants 

 distinguished by astringent and tonic properties, as the 

 root of Potentilla Tormentilla, and the petals of Rosa 

 gallica, the Red Rose. 



FIG. 62. A Mangrove Forest. 



