558 DRUPACE^E. [Perigynous Exogens. 



inhabits hot arid plains in Mexico ; and another, A. cochinchinensis, is reputed to grow 



"Sel^ffiS^pertie.of a-eworta,^ which Order this is usually 

 combined are also found" here ; as in the bark of Cerasus virginiana, which - prescnbed 

 n^The United States of the C. Capollim of Mexico, and of others to be mentioned pre- 

 ent 5 ThTy^w^r, bette'r known for yielding an abundance of prussic, or hy- 

 drocyanic add, a deadly principle residing in the leaves and kernel ; m consequence of 

 SK o 'the species are poisonous to cattle which feed upon them : as for examp e 

 he C ca^ricida, which kills the goats of Nipal ; and the C. virginiana, which is known 

 t NortKmeii'ca to be dangerous. The oil of Bitter Almonds is extremely poisonous, 

 a^d many faUl cases of death arising from taking them into ^^.^"gi 

 They have, nevertheless, been recommended as a cure for intermittent fever, ihey 

 produce urticaria, and are said to be an antidote to intoxication. The flowers and ker- 

 nel Tthe Peach have similar qualities. Dr. Christison mentions a case of a gentleman 

 who died in consequence of having swallowed a salad of the flower ; and another of a 

 chdd which ^risE after taking a decoction of the flowers to destroy worms The 

 £nTtek, 2 fruit of C. Laurocerasus, the common Laurel, and the oil obtained from 

 hem 'are virulent poisons ; even the vapour of the former will destooy insect hfe 

 Martius says that this secretion is greatly increased in Brazil C Padus the J hid 

 Cherry has similar properties, but in a leas degree.' They all of them, also, yield a 

 gum analogous to gum tfagacanth. Notwithstanding, however, the P~™ 1^° 

 that is present in them, their fruit is, in many cases a favourite food ; that of e 

 Amygdalus (Peach and Nectarine), Prunus (Plum), and Cerasus (Cherry), are among tie 

 mosUlelieious with which we are acquainted ; the seed o Amygdalus is fam.har to us 

 under the name of Almonds, and its oil under the name of Oil ot Almonds. The bai k 

 of the root of C. Capollim is used in Mexico against dysentery The leaves of Prmius 

 spinosa (Sloe), and C. avium (Wild Cherry), have been employed as a substitute foi lea 

 The former L well known to afford one of the means used in Europe for^^tmg 

 the black tea of China. Prunus domestica, or the common Plum, yields those fruits sold 

 in the shops under the name of Prunes, which are chiefly prepared in France, from the 

 varieties called the St. Catherine and the Green-gage ; and in Portugal from a so t 

 which derives its name from the village of Guimaraens, where they are principally 

 dried. They contain so large a quantity of sugar, that brandy is distilled from them 

 when fermented ; and it has even been proposed to manufacture sugar from them. 

 The kernel of Prunus brigantiaca yields a fixed oil, called Hu.le des Marmottes, which 

 is used instead of olive or almond oil. The bark of Prunus spinosa is one of the 

 substances that has been reported to resemble Jesuits' bark in is effects. Piumis 

 Coccomilia yields a bark, the febrifugal properties of which are spoken of very highlv 

 According to Tenore, it is a specific for the cure of the dangerous intermittent level s 

 of Calabria, where it grows. A variety of Cerasus avium is used, ,n the Vosges and 

 Black Forest, for the preparation of the liqueur known under the name of Kirschen- 

 wasser. The flowers of Amygdalus persica < Peach), are gently laxative and are used 

 advantageously for children. The kernel of Cerasus occidentals is used for flavoui- 

 ing the liqueur Noyau. 



GENERA. 



PyKeum, Giirln. 



Poli/dontia, Mum. 



Polystorthia, Blum. 

 Amygdalus, Linn. 



Amygdalophora, Neck. 

 Persica, Tournef. 

 Trichocarptu, Neck. 

 Ceraseiilos. Zucc. 



Prumis, Linn. 



Armeniaca, Tournef. 



Prunophora, Neck. 

 Cerasus, Juss. 



Qgratophora, Neck. 



Padus, Endl. 



La urocerasus, Tournef. 



Numbers. Gen. 5. Sp. 110. 



Position. — Rosacese. — Duupace*. — Fabacete \ 



Thymelaccce. 



