IN EXTRA-TROPICAL COUNTRIES 269 



P. Cerasus originated from West Asia. Oil of Apricot seeds can 

 be used like almond-oil. Cherry-tree bark contains 24 per cent, 

 tannin, that of the Apricot-tree 32 per cent. (Muspratt). 



Prunus Pseudo-Cerasus, Lindley. (P. Puddum, Roxburgh.) 



The u Sakura" of Japan, extending to Upper India. A large shady- 

 tree, the stem attaining 2 feet in diameter, charming to view when 

 bearing its profusion of flowers. The fruit is of the size of small 

 cherries and of pleasant and refreshing taste, though never quite 

 sweet (Wallich). It is this tree which supplies mainly the wood so 

 extensively required for xylography in Japan (Dupont). 



Prunus serotina, Ehrhart. 



The Black Cherry-tree of North America. Fruit slightly bitter, 

 but with a pleasant vinous flavour ; wood compact, light, easily 

 worked, not liable to warp (Sargent), very valuable for cabinet and 

 sash-makers (A. Gray). In Virginia and Alabama the tree attains 

 a height of 100 feet, with a stem 4 feet in diameter; it prefers 

 rich porous soil in the upper parts of valleys. Wood pale red, 

 dense, fine-grained ; when polished, as beautiful as mahogany wood 

 (Robb and Simmonds). It will live on the poorest soil, and even 

 within the salt spray of the coast. Wood close-grained, compact, 

 not liable to warp, easily worked and ebonized. Readily raised 

 from seeds and transplanted ; not succumbing under rough usage 

 (Sargent). 



Prunus spinosa, Linne. 



The Sloe or Blackthorn. Wild in many parts of Europe. With 

 its flowers it is one of the earliest plants to announce the spring. 

 Its tendency to throw out suckers renders the bush less adapted for 

 hedges of gardens than of fields, but these suckers furnish material 

 for walking-sticks. The small fruits can be made into preserves. 

 P. insititia (L.), the Bullace, with larger and sometimes yellow 

 fruits, extends, as a variety, to North Africa and Middle Asia, 

 Sir Joseph Hooker and other phytographers considers P. domestica 

 not specifically distinct from P. spinosa. Of medical value are P. 

 Lauro-Cerasus (L.), the evergreen Cherry-Laurel from the Orient, 

 and P. Padus (L.), the deciduous Bird's Cherry, which extends 

 from Europe to North Africa and West Asia. These and most 

 other species contain in their foliage and in some other parts 

 amygdalin. Perhaps some of the species from Eastern Asia, Cali- 

 fornia, and tropical America are eligible for improving their fruit 

 through horticultural skill. The Sloe and others might with 

 advantage be naturalized on forest streams. 



Prunus tomentosa, Thunberg. 



North China. A very hardy species with cherry-like edible fruits. 



