134 PLUM. PEAR. APPLE. 



high mountains, which are often covered by clouds. 

 It grows plentifully in the north of England and 

 Scotland, and in many parts of the north of Eu- 

 rope. The Norwegians pack up the berries in 

 wooden vessels, and send them to Stockholm, where 

 they are sold for desserts, and for making vinegar; 

 and the Laplanders bury them under the snow to 

 preserve them from one year to another. 



The dwarf crimson Bramble, Ru'bus arc'ticus, 

 is so diminutive, that an entire tree, with all its 

 branches, leaves, and fruit, has been put into a 

 bottle capable of holding only six ounces.* 



The Plum, Prunus : the Medlar, Mes'pilus; 

 and the Pear and Apple trees, Py'rus, all belong 

 to this class, and are all found wild in England. 



The Cherry and Apricot, as well as the Plum, 

 are species of the genus Pru'nus. And though 

 the fruit in this genus is so good, the leaves of se- 

 veral of the species are poisonous; especially those 

 of the Pru'nus Laurocer'asus or Laurel Cherry. 

 Many species of plum are covered with a substance 

 called the Bloom, which is sprinkled over the 

 outer surface of the fruit, and has very often a 

 delicate tinge of blue : it is easily rubbed off with 

 the finger, but resists the most violent rains. 



The Pru'nus Armeni / aca, or Apricot, has its 

 specific name from having been originally a native 



* Clarke's Travels, Vol. V. 



